Common questions about the BC Demographic Survey

This survey will inform our efforts to identify systemic racism in government programs and services and make B.C. a more equitable province.

We’ve heard from many Indigenous and other racialized people that they are being left behind because our services weren’t designed with them in mind. The information that we collect through the BC Demographic Survey will help identify gaps in our services so that we can then make them more accessible and inclusive.

During the development of the Anti-Racism Data Act, Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities called on us to take a coordinated approach to collecting information so that individuals are not asked to provide the same information multiple times.

Communities also told us that we need a single organization to lead the collection, use and disclosure of personal information to help identify systemic racism. We also need to provide clear direction on how to collect this information in a culturally safe way.

As the province’s statistics agency, BC Stats was selected to conduct this survey. We have more than 100 years of experience safely collecting information and using data to help improve services for residents of B.C.

We need people of all backgrounds to participate in this survey to help us improve our services – so everyone is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. All people living in B.C. as of June 1, 2023 are encouraged to participate.

B.C. residents aged 13 and older are welcome to complete a survey. If a child under the age of 13 wishes to participate, a parent or legal guardian will need to complete a survey on their behalf.

A random sample of B.C. households will also receive a letter encouraging them to complete the survey.

We would like to understand the diversity of everyone who lives in B.C. Children younger than 13 will not be asked to complete the survey themselves. Instead, a parent, guardian, or person most knowledgeable about the child must complete the survey on the child’s behalf.

We’ve heard from many Indigenous and other racialized people that they are being left behind because our services weren’t designed with them in mind. It’s harmful and hurtful and undermines our goal of delivering strong public services for everyone.

To identify problems within our existing services, we need information about what works, what doesn’t work and for whom. We created the BC Demographic Survey through engagement with Indigenous and other racialized communities. It will help to inform our efforts to identify systemic racism and make B.C. a more equitable province.  

The survey opens on June 6th, 2023, and closes on October 15th, 2023.

The survey is available online and by phone in 15 languages, including English. If you wish to complete the survey over the telephone, please call us at: 1-833-376-2452 toll-free to speak with our support team. We have team members available:

• Monday to Friday from 9 am to 7 pm (Pacific)
• Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm (Pacific) (except statutory holidays)

The survey has 19 sections:

While the Government of Canada already collects some of this information on the Canadian Census of Population, the information is kept confidential by Statistics Canada. This means that we’re not able to use it to identify gaps in provincial services.

While we do collect some personal information to deliver services in B.C., in general, we do not ask for or collect information on race, ethnicity, faith or similar identity factors. This means that we don’t have data on where specifically people face barriers when using government services.

The information that we collect through the BC Demographic Survey will help identify gaps in our services so that we can make them more accessible and inclusive.

No.  

The questions in this survey are focused on topics such as ethnicity, gender, education, as well as other aspects of identity to help us understand where systemic racism is impacting our services.

These questions were chosen based on what we heard from Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities during engagement on the Anti-Racism Data Act. Findings from the BC Human Rights Commissioner’s report, The Grandmother Perspective were also used to shape the questions and the focus on institutional or systemic racism.

But we do want to hear about your experience. In 2024 we will be introducing broader anti-racism legislation which will require government to address the inequities uncovered by this demographic survey. You can add your voice to the development of that legislation by taking the short online questionnaire.

Share your thoughts about how government can improve programs and services to meet the needs of more people living in British Columbia and help us make B.C. a more equitable and inclusive place.

Systemic racism and other forms of discrimination have shaped the delivery of public services for generations. The information that we collect through the BC Demographic Survey will help identify gaps in programs and services so that we can better meet the needs of people across B.C.

This survey is a first step to making B.C. more inclusive for everyone who lives here.

We will link the information you provide in the survey with existing information to examine how well different programs and policies work for different people, and to identify gaps and barriers that are stopping people from fully benefiting from public services such as education, health care and social supports.

With this information, we can make informed changes where they are needed the most. This will help us better meet the needs of all people living in British Columbia.

We realize that some questions may feel personal. There are a few identity questions that will be used to verify your B.C. residency and link the survey information with other administrative information such as health or education records. Responses are required for these questions.

For all other questions you may select ‘I don’t know / I am unsure’ or ‘Prefer not to answer’ if you do not want to answer.

All responses will be kept confidential. Your answers will be grouped together with other responses and used to produce overall statistics. No information will be published that could identify any individual or household.

The information collected through this survey will be combined with existing information to identify barriers and gaps in our services. The results of the survey along with updates on how we’re using this information will be available in early 2024 on this website.