Stand and be counted: the collection for the 2021 Census of Population and 2021 Census of Agriculture began this week.
Canadians will be receiving their census letter in the mail with instructions on how to conveniently complete their questionnaire online, on paper or over the phone. Completing an online questionnaire is easy.
Once Canadians receive their letter or paper questionnaire with their 16-digit secure access code, they can visit www.census.gc.ca and select the Start questionnaire button.
The Census of Agriculture
Canadian farm operators will be asked to complete the 2021 Census of Agriculture questionnaire to help update Canada’s agricultural profile. Farm operators will receive their letter with easy-to-follow instructions on how to complete the Census of Agriculture questionnaire online.
“Completing the questionnaire online is the best way to stay safe and tell your story as part of Canada’s farming community,” says the release.
All follow-up contact will be performed by mail, email or phone.
The Census Help Line (1-855-859-6273) will be available to farm operators from May until end of July to answer any questions and help with completing the questionnaire.
“In the current context of COVID-19, Census of Agriculture data is vital to understanding the impacts of the crisis on the agricultural community, including supply chain and trade disruptions, and food security.”
The Census of Population
Census questionnaires are assigned by household, and the Census of Population enumerates the entire Canadian population. This includes Canadian citizens (by birth or naturalization), landed immigrants, refugee claimants (e.g., asylum seekers), Canadian Foreign Service officers, Canadian Armed Forces members stationed abroad, and people who hold a work or study permit.
Data from the 2016 Census have played a key role in understanding the impacts of COVID-19 and responding to them. Federal and provincial governments use local-level population, age, income and housing data to determine who is most vulnerable to the current health and economic crisis. Furthermore, vaccine allocations have been conducted on a per capita basis based on census data.
Data collected in the 2021 Census will inform many of the economic and health-related policy decisions that must be made by all levels of government in the coming months and years, as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the lives of Canadians.
“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that all of us complete the census. The 2021 Census will help us to better understand the impacts of the pandemic for different population groups and communities across the country and ensure we have good data for planning for a post-pandemic recovery and beyond,” says Anil Arora, Chief Statistician of Canada, Statistics Canada. “We have taken all necessary measures to conduct a safe census that will enable Canadians to tell their story, and provide vital information that contributes to the strength of our country and our communities. It is important that everyone is included in the changing portrait of our nation.”
Respondents without reliable access to the Internet can also call the Census Help Line at 1-855-340-2021, to complete their census questionnaire over the phone or request a paper questionnaire.
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