First more inclusive Canadian census data released

Before, there was no data on transgender and non-binary populations. It was a huge lack of information because we see that the populations LGBTQ+lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others have more mental health and discrimination issues and we need baseline figures on how many people are affectedsays Elena Prokopenko, Gender Diversity and Inclusive Statistics Analyst at Statistics Canada.

Canada is the first country to use its national census to collect and publish data on gender diversity.

According to statistics collected last May from all households in the country, 100,815 people over the age of 15 living in a private household identified as transgender or non-binary, representing approximately 0.33% of the population or 1 person in 300.

Thus, nearly 60,000 Canadians have identified as transgender, that is, people whose gender does not correspond to the sex assigned to them at birth.

Just over 40,000 people identified as non-binary, meaning they do not fully identify with the terms male and female.

A third of people who chose non-binary describe their gender in terms like neutral, fluid, improper, queer and two-spirited.

The term Two-Spirit, unique to some Indigenous peoples of North America, has been used more often by non-binary people living in Western Canada. Moreover, it is twice as widely used in Manitoba, where there is a large Aboriginal population.

In 2020, Manitoba had also included a non-binary option on driver’s licenses and birth certificates.

Furthermore, trans and non-binary people are more likely to belong to the younger generations. In Manitoba, 3620 people over the age of 15 belong to one of these two groups, which corresponds to the national average, in terms of percentage of the population.

They are therefore mostly millennials and members of Generation Z.

But according to Ms. Prokopenko, the data shows that transgender and non-binary people are found in all age groups and in all communities across the country.

The analyst adds that this information will fill a data gap when it comes to meeting the needs of this population.

This information can point decision-makers to measures that could be adapted to provide better services to transgender and non-binary people.she explains.

Charlotte Nolin, a transgender and two-spirit Manitoban, would like this data to help address issues facing the community, such as the high rate of suicide.

” It is time for this to stop. We want these young people to know that they are loved, accepted, recognized and respected and that they are part of our community. »

She also welcomed the arrival of this more inclusive census.

It felt good ’cause I didn’t have to choose between two things I wasn’tshares Charlotte Nolin.

Society towards more inclusion

Historically, we have remained in the shadows. Society hasn’t recognized us, the government hasn’t recognized us, and it’s time we showed up for who we are.adds Ms. Nolin.

She says these new census boxes will help transgender and non-binary people feel like they matter.

” You may not understand our story, but allow us to share it in the right way. »

Janelle Campagne filled out the census form last May and was surprised to find out the non-binary option, what it is.

Seeing my identity represented in the census really did me good. It’s very rewardingshares Janelle.

” We exist everywhere and we deserve to be seen, we deserve to be heard and we deserve to have a voice. »

With information from Holly Caruk and Stephanie Cram