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3. Census Collection Methods
3.1 Delivery of questionnaires
During the month of May, 2006, every household in Canada (about 13.5 million) received a census questionnaire.
Most of these forms were delivered by mail. In rural or remote areas only, they were delivered in person by a Statistics Canada enumerator.
3.2 Self-enumeration
Most households began receiving their census forms at the beginning of May.
Each household was asked to complete its own questionnaire. This self-enumeration method reduces the possibility of an interviewer misunderstanding a response or recording information incorrectly.
The forms were completed by May 16th. People were given the choice of completing the questions online or filling in and mailing back the printed form.
3.3 Sampling
While most households receive a short questionnaire, a sample of households (one household in five) receives a longer questionnaire. The short one asks basic questions such as age, sex, and marital status. The longer version asks these questions plus 45 more detailed ones on subjects such as education, income, and employment.
Enumerating one household in five produces statistics that are accurate for the entire population. Some advantages of sampling include minimizing the burden on respondents as well as reducing collection and processing costs.
3.4 Personal interviews in remote areas
Because of the small number of people living in northern and remote areas, or on reserves, the one-in-five sampling ratio would not accurately reflect all people within the group. In these areas, everyone is interviewed using the long form.
When all the forms are returned to the central processing centre, the responses are scanned and entered into a database. The wealth of data produced is then sorted and cross-referenced. We can find out, for example, the number of school-aged children in Edmonton or the number of people employed in the forest industry in New Brunswick.
3.5 Secure online reporting in 2006
In May 2006, for the first time, Canadians had the option of completing their census questionnaire online
By using a code that appeared on their printed questionnaire, respondents were able to access the electronic version on the census collection website. Their answers were sent through a secure government Internet channel that ensured Statistics Canada's commitment to privacy and confidentiality.
