DOCUMENT: 800~l7/ 022
FIRST MINISTERS‘ CONFERENCE
ON
ABORIGINAL CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
ANALYSIS DISPUTES CENSUS
FIGURES ON NATIVES
NATIVE COUNCIL OF CANADA
Ottawa
March l5-16, 1983

NATIVE COUNCIL OF CANADA
LE CONSEIL NATIONAL DES AUTOCHTONES DU CANADA
BACKGROUNDER
DOCUMENTAIRE
ANALYSIS DISPUTES CENSUS
FIGURES ON NATIVES
Because of its concern over the low estimates of Metis
people in Canada as affected in the 1981 Census, the Native
Council of Canada has commissioned an analysis of its method—,
ology and findings.
The report, which was prepared by J. Phillip Nicholson
of Policy Management Consultants Inc., states that estimates
for the total native population appearing between 1971 and
1980 have ranged from a low of 491,460 (Census) to a high
of 3,000,000 (Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation).
The report emphasized the importance of appreciating that
significant discrepancies exist and that different methodologies
employed at different times with different objectives in mind will
produce different results” ‘

_ 2 l
Referring to the census the report said that it was
relatively clear that thewmethodology had natural biases
which may have affected the reliability of the native estimates
and that the native component was but one part of a very large
and comprehensive multi~purpose census.
BACKGROUND
The 1981 Census is the first census in Canadian history which
attempted to estimate the pupulation size of all “categories” of
native peoples: Inuit, status Indian, non—status Indian, Metis.
Although there is some basis for comparing the results of the
1981 census with previous census estimates, the 1981 census marks
the first of what is intended to be a permanent enumeration of
all categories of natives in Canada. In this sense, it is perhaps
the most significant estimate from the point of view of planning
for the delivery of government programs and services, and from
the point of View of the rights, concerns and interests of the
varying groups. –
Although the authors have not undertaken a formal survey of the
reactions of either native groups or of government departments to
the results and findings of the 1981 census, it appears that the
general consensus is as followsi
~the 1981 estimates tend to under~estimate the total
size of native population in Canada

_ 3 _
~the magnitude of the under—estimation may be very
significant
~although Statistics Canada’s methodologies and general
reputation enjoy relatively high esteem, there may be
a number of significant shortcomings in respect of the
census of native peoples which result in both inaccuracies
and in a general low level of confidence in the results.
—notwithstanding the above concerns with the methodologies
and results of the 1981 census, native groups and govern-
ment departments alike feel that the census results will
. be used as the basis for policy and program planning in
respect of such issues as native claims, housing, economic
development, social services and native rights.
The Native Council of Canada as well as several federal
departmental officials actively involved in native affairs appear
to be concerned that the 1981 results may be too rigidly adhered
to for official government planning purposes.
In general, their concerns are that the government should
maintain a healthy appreciation of the potential and likely
limitations of the 1981 census estimates, and should put the
results in the context of other population estimates which suggest
a broader range and generally higher population level for native
peoples in Canada

_ 4 _
The general hope and intent of those most concerned is
that considerable attention should be focused on improving the
methodologies for the 1986 and 1991 census estimates.
If appropriate improvements are made, then the future
estimates might prove to be more accurate, reliable and credible
For Further Information:
Native Council of Canada,
5th Floor,
170 Laurier Avenue West,
Ottawa, Ontario.
Telephone: (613) 238-3511

Estimates for the tota1 native population appearing between
1971 and 1982 have ranged from a 1ow of 491,460 (Statistics Canada 1981)
APPENDIX “A”
to a high of 3,500,000 (Emp1oyment and Immigration 1978). Estimates by
other departments and agencies are shown in the tab1e be1ow.
Secretary of State
Emp1oyment and
Immigration
CMHC
DIAND
DREE
Statistics
Canada
Census
YEAR INUIT
1982 – 0 ¢
1977 27,170
1978 17,377
1971/
1972
1971
1982
1976
1971 17,550
1981 25,390
STATUS NON-STATUS METIS TOTAL
INDIANS INDIANS NATIVE
_ 0 -_
295,898
282,762
257,609
263,499
324,376
282,762
295,215
292,700
(1) Inc1udes on1y Métis and non»status Indians
447,144
_ 300,000
271,700
305,000
426,060″
N/A N/A
75,110 98,260
614,800 (1)
745,483
600,639
529,319
3,000,000
587,762
708,822
312,765
491,460

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