Concerns about Canadian Census Changes Continue

Unless the Federal Government reverses a recent decision, there will be major changes to how Canadian census data is collected starting in 2011. With the change, the mandatory long census questionnaire that covers income, ethnicity, religion, education, work, housing and disability has been eliminated and replaced with a voluntary survey that will go out to one in three households. Government sources state that the change was made in response to privacy concerns, but the outcry against the change has been heard across Canada. Concerns are being raised about loss of the ability to compare data over time, gaps in data, and biased statistical results. Imagine Canada has written a formal response to the Minister of Industry, Tony Clement.

CCVO is concerned about the changes and is also sending a letter to Hon. Clement. If you have concerns about how this change will impact your organization's ability to plan effective programs and services or undertake research, we encourage you to communicate with your elected representatives.