As Stats Canada goes through the millions of census questionnaires it got back from Canadians over the past week, the Census Director expects COVID-19 will have a big impact on this year’s data.
Speaking on the NL Noon Report, Geoff Bowlby, says the data will help Statistics Canada study the effects that the pandemic has had across the country, from both an economic and a social perspective.
“The labour market part of the long form questionnaire refers to the labour market that was in 2020 and we know how badly impacted folks were by the pandemic, but the census is going to give us real numbers around this,” he said.
“To what degree did you lose work over the year? Did you work part-year in 2020 and why did you work part year? are some of the questions that we’re asking right now that will tell governments and others a great deal about just how bad the pandemic was on the economy.”
In all, about 25 per cent of Canadian households were sent the long-form version of the census which collects demographic information, as well as information about social, economic, and living situations. The other 75 per cent were sent the short-form of the census which collects basic demographic information like age, marital status, and language.
All of the data collected is kept confidential. Statistics Canada employees with access to census questionnaires have to take an oath of secrecy as an extra precaution.
Filling out the census is required by law, according to the Statistics Act of Canada, and you have until 11:59 p.m. tonight to do so. If you haven’t filled out your census by the deadline, Bowlby says you may get a socially distanced, in-person follow up visit from Stats Canada encouraging you to do so.
Refusing to complete the census can result in a fine of up to $500.
The census is conducted every five years to help illustrate Canada’s diverse population and the changes that society has undergone since the last one. The information is then used by communities, businesses, and governments to make decisions around things like employment, education, and health care.
For more details on the 2021 Census, go here.
The #2021Census of Population and the #CensusOfAgriculture are here! By filling out your questionnaire, you’re helping to pave the way for a better future for #Canada and your community. Complete yours online today: https://t.co/i3dkVoJ7Qq pic.twitter.com/NpgxSZ00wi
— Statistics Canada (@StatCan_eng) May 10, 2021
