Data Gaps: Historically who's been counted and who hasn't?

In honour of LGBT History month, it is important to recognize that although looking at the data can tell you a lot about history, that understanding is only as good as the data it relies on. Historically, many marginalized groups were excluded from mainstream data collection. Unfortunately, this is also not an old problem, but continues today.

We need to always be critical when looking at data and asking ourselves questions, such as Who collected this?, Why was it collected?, What is included?, What or who is excluded and why?, and What assumptions were made?

To support your search for data about people that were ignored or oppressed in the past and those who are still being ignored or oppressed, the Map & Data Library has created some guides and book collections on related topics:

• Canadian Queer Data Guide
• Critical Data and Maps - Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Book List
• April 2025 Book Display: Who Counts? Data, Power, and Social Justice

In addition, our colleagues from the Ontario Council of University Libraries Data Community have created a Data on Racialized Populations in Canada guide.