Know Your Facts and Figures as a CSW and Manager

More and more, CSWs and Managers require statistics to guide decision-making and to inform the development of programs and policies aimed at improving the health and wellness of our families and communities. Finding the statistical quantitative data Inuit need to frame an Inuit-specific, culturally appropriate way, can be challenging.

Data-based indicators are rarely developed with the unique cultural, historical and environmental realities of Inuit in mind. These indicators, developed often by those with little knowledge of who we are as a people, are often inappropriately applied to the Inuit context and can perpetuate harmful, negative stereotypes.

However, some standard, existing indicators of the health and wellness of our people, communities and lands can inform the work we do. Many of the indicators in this Inuit Statistical Profile 2018 illustrate the gaps that exist between Inuit and other Canadians. They can bring attention to our concerns and, if used appropriately, can provide evidence that leads to action and change.

Policy Makers and Inuit Advocates

Hear from Natan Obed, President of ITK on current statistics and issues that help form policy priorities and action with federal, provincial/territorial and other funding and delivery partners. A former Director of Policy and Research at Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), Natan Obed brings strong skill and passion to issues affecting Inuit, and working with government and other partners to address historic inequities due to federal policies and actions, to future funding and priorities to support Inuit health and wellness.

General Inuit Population in Ontario

Inuit in Ontario constitute a small but very fast growing population. According to the National Household Survey (NHS), there were 3,360 Inuit living in Ontario in 2011, about 1% of the Aboriginal population in Ontario (MAA). This is up from 2.035 in 2006 (Census, MAA), an increase of 65% in five years. Inuit numbers also increased in the previous five years, by 48% from 2001 to 2006 (Census, MAA). If this pattern continues, there will be over 15,000 Inuit in Ontario in just over 10 years from now. This dramatic increase is not due to the birth rate alone – many Inuit move to Ontario from the North each year, and a greater number of Inuit already here may now be identifying themselves as Inuit in the census and NHS.

These numbers probably under-estimate the Inuit population to a considerable degree. For example, in Ottawa, the 2006 census pegged the Inuit population at 645 but Inuit agencies in the city estimated that a more accurate number would be 1,800. It is also important to note that the controversial decision of the federal government to suspend the mandatory Long Form Census and replace it with the voluntary National Household Survey (NHS) was strongly criticized by statistical experts. One of the main concerns with the NHS was that it would lead to high levels of under-reporting by certain groups in the population and these experts specifically mentioned Aboriginal people as likely to be under-reported.

For example, the 2006 Census reported 32 Inuit in Timmins, whereas the 2011 NHS reported none – of course, this is possible but with such high growth rates, it is less likely than under-reporting.

Thus, the actual numbers of Inuit in Ontario may be dramatically higher than the numbers officially reported by Statistics Canada.

Setting aside concerns about the accuracy of the total numbers, what the data does provide is a rough sense of the distribution of Inuit across the province. In 2006, 82% of Ontario Inuit lived in urban areas (Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, based on census data). There are 43 Census Agglomerations (CAs) in Ontario, which are generally urban areas, and data from the 2011 NHS reveals the following information:

26 CAs have an Inuit population of 0 (including Timmins which had 32 in the 2006 Census);
12 CAs have 0 – 100 Inuit;
5 CAs have over 100 Inuit : Ottawa-Gatineau 860, Toronto 640, Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo 225, St Catherines-Niagara 190, Oshawa 125. Note: In the 2006 Census Ottawa had 645 and Toronto had 320. It is difficult to know the extent to which the 2011 data is due to changes in the Inuit population of the two cities, and how much is due to differences in data collection methods between the 2011 NHS and the 2006 Census.
CAs have a total Inuit population of 2,610, which means that 750 Inuit live in rural areas of Ontario outside these CAs.

Statistical Data on Inuit

CSWs and Managers need to be aware of the latest statistical information available regarding Inuit both in Ottawa and across the Inuit Nunangat.

Read the latest profile prepared by ITK to prepare for the Final Quiz.

Inuit Statistical Profile (2018)