Question
A student here is looking for data on a series of census tracts in Toronto, for as many years as possible. I know the tract names will change over time, but I want to verify that, according to what I know, census tract-level data didn't appear in the census until 1951; is this true?
Answer
I consulted the Census tract: Detailed definition <http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92-195-x/2011001/geo/ct-sr/def-eng.htm> and noted that it was available for the following censuses: 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976, 1971, 1966, 1961, 1956, 1951, 1941
-From 1971 to 1991, a provincial census tract program existed. Provincial census tracts were similar in concept to census tracts, but covered areas outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations. Taken together, census tracts and provincial census tracts covered all of Canada.
-In 1941 and 1946, census tracts were called 'social areas.'
