Combined Census Research in Canada: 2021 Census of Population Statistical Contingency Plan
Conference
64th ISI World Statistics Congress - Ottawa, Canada
Format: IPS Paper
Keywords: administrative data, census, imputation, simulation
Session: IPS 206 - Use of administrative data in censuses
Monday 17 July 2 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. (Canada/Eastern)
Abstract
Statistics Canada has been conducting research on the use of administrative data to support, supplement, or replace traditional Census collection for the last 10 years. In the context of this research, a combined census methodology which involves combining traditional census collection methods with administrative data aims at uniting the best information from both sources. Due to collection issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a statistical contingency plan was implemented in the 2021 Census based on these principles and using existing combined census research. Simulations of prospective combined census strategies are being conducted using an administrative sociodemographic database and the 2021 Census response data. Several criteria are being considered when evaluating the simulations, including data quality, geography, dwelling type, coverage, and traditional census collection methods. This presentation will discuss the methodology behind the simulations as well as some analyses of the results, specifically a comparison of benchmarks including traditional census counts and demographic estimates. It will also discuss how the statistical contingency plan was implemented at the imputation stage after the 2021 Census collection ended, as well as future research.