Richard Froese
Spotlight
Census letters and packages are being delivered to all Canadian households this week to collect data for the national population.
Statistics Canada began sending package for households and for agriculture on May 2. Forms can be completed on paper or online at census.gc.ca.
Online is an easy, secure and convenient option that can be used anywhere and anytime. No pre-registration or lengthy download processes are required.
“In Canada, it is mandatory for all residents to participate in the census,” states the Statistics Canada website.
The census collects demographic information on every man, woman and child living in Canada.
Data on population and dwelling counts will be released on Feb. 8, 2017.
“Information from the census will be used by governments, businesses, associations, community organizations and many others to make important decisions for your community, your province or territory, and the entire country.”
Information is important for your community and is used in planning services such as schools, public transportation, senior housing and police and fire services.
Population estimates obtained from the census are used to allocate transfer payments from the federal government to the provinces and territories, and from the provinces to municipalities.
The Census of Agriculture collects information on every agricultural operation in Canada.Agricultural operators who intend to sell at least one agricultural product are required to complete a Census of Agriculture questionnaire.
Although the census begins this week across most of the country, census representatives have been visiting households in First Nations communities in April to complete census questionnaires with local residents.
First Nations census information is vital for planning services such as housing, employment, education, health care, etc.
Census questionnaires on First Nations are completed by personal interview.