2021 Census of Agriculture Content Consultation

Consultation objectives

Before each census, Statistics Canada initiates an extensive consultation program that allows data users and interested parties across Canada to share their views on how they use census data and the type of information they believe should be available from the Census.

Data from the Census of Agriculture is important because it provides a comprehensive and integrated profile of the physical, economic, social and environmental aspects of Canada’s agriculture industry.

Methodology

In preparation for the 2021 Census of Agriculture, Statistics Canada collected feedback from data users from September 2017 to October 2017. There were two ways for data users to provide feedback throughout the 2021 Census of Agriculture consultation process: (1) by attending a 2021 Census of Agriculture consultation workshop (in person or online) and (2) by submitting a 2021 Census of Agriculture submission form.

Feedback from the consultations were used to modify content which was then tested by conducting one-on-one interviews with farmers.

The final stage of testing for the 2021 Census of Agriculture was the 2019 Census of Agriculture Test, which began on May 6, 2019, and ended on June 28, 2019. A sample of 10,000 agricultural operations was selected from across Canada. The sample was targeted to include specific language profiles and farm characteristics.

How to get involved

This consultation is now closed.

In the fall of 2017, Statistics Canada conducted Consultation workshops across Canada. The information provided from data users helped Statistics Canada determine the content for the 2021 Census of Agriculture.

Statistics Canada thanks all consultation participants.

Results

The main goal of the 2021 Content Consultation Report is to describe to Canadians the research, methodology, and testing processes involved in developing relevant questionnaire content for the 2021 Census of Agriculture.

The "2021 Census of Agriculture Content Consultation Report" presents findings on data needs, gaps and relevance for the Census of Agriculture.

The first section of the report details who was consulted and how their data needs and gaps were assessed. The second section highlights the testing and analysis of new content based on user submissions. The last section of the report summarizes the sampling and validation strategies for the 2019 Census of Agriculture Test.