Data from the 2021 census shows that the number of veterans is 25 percent lower than previous estimates by Veteran Affairs Canada (VAC), according to a federal document. The federal department says the overestimation has no impact on its government-funded programs.
In a March 20 briefing note, VAC responded to questions about why the 2021 census counted 461,240 veterans—approximately 25 percent lower than the department’s own 2021 estimation of 617,800 veterans. The issue was first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.
VAC said in the briefing note the discrepancy has no impact on the department’s function.
“VAC does not generally use broader Veteran population figures for operational planning. We rely on actual program intake and service utilization data to develop forecasts and plans,” the department said, adding the discrepancy in numbers “was not entirely unexpected” because it had been making estimates based on data from the 1971 Census and “other national surveys.”…