2011 census

[Smallc]

You see, issues like this are what made it impossible for me to vote Conservative this time. For God sakes, just fill out the thing. The government isn't coming for you and there's no harm in doing it. If you weren't randomly selected for the long form, it takes 3 minutes online. If you were, it takes 15. I know, because I did two today, for my house and my grandmother's.

The census is an important collection of information that aids not only the federal government, but the provinces and the municipalities in the formation of social policy and programs (among other things). Unwrap the tinfoil, fill out the census, and go on with your paranoid existence.

Edited May 5, 2011 by Smallc

[Bryan]

The census is an important collection of information that aids not only the federal government, but the provinces and the municipalities in the formation of social policy and programs (among other things).

So if people don't fill out their census, the government won't know where to spend money? That sounds like as good a reason as any not to fill it out.

[msj]

I filled the census out and the second part - the household survey ... whatever it is.

Didn't take long.

I was tempted to put "Jedi" or "Flying Spaghetti Monster" as my religion but decided to put "No religion" down since I have an interest in this group showing up as a bigger and bigger percentage as more people come to their rational senses.

I think it's great if Conservative types don't partake.

They won't get counted and who knows how much money our governments can save by ending things like allowing donation tax credits for religions.

And just think, since these types tend to be English speakers and aren't being counted, well, this means we can take the tax breaks from the churches and spend it on more multi-cultural events to encourage people to continue to speak their own languages since they will show up as a bigger percentage of the population.

[g_bambino]

For God sakes, just fill out the thing. The government isn't coming for you...

Oh, thank god! I barricaded my door when I got home and saw that census envelope lying on my doormat.

----

The libertarian types who shred their census are essentially adolescents, justifying their acting out against authority as a fight for the good cause when, really, it's just a way to make themselves feel powerful. They act emotively, not rationally.

[Handsome Rob]

I have a question. Why? What's the big deal? Just fill the thing out.

What relevance could the government possibly require to things like color of skin and religious affiliation? What justifiable reason is there to spend federal money on such things?

Got the long form, had fun with those parts, told the truth on the important stuff like disabilities, age, employment.

[jacee]

I filled the census out and the second part - the household survey ... whatever it is.

Didn't take long.

I was tempted to put "Jedi" or "Flying Spaghetti Monster" as my religion but decided to put "No religion" down since I have an interest in this group showing up as a bigger and bigger percentage as more people come to their rational senses.

I think it's great if Conservative types don't partake.

They won't get counted and who knows how much money our governments can save by ending things like allowing donation tax credits for religions.

And just think, since these types tend to be English speakers and aren't being counted, well, this means we can take the tax breaks from the churches and spend it on more multi-cultural events to encourage people to continue to speak their own languages since they will show up as a bigger percentage of the population.

So true ! Why should we concern ourselves at all with making policy and allocating tax money for the needs and interests of those who don't bother to be counted as Canadians? Those who don't want to be counted don't count. ;-)

[fellowtraveller]

You just cost Alberta CHT and CST money, btw.

All the more for Manitoba. Celebrate.

I don't think Alberta was getting anything for Christmas anyway. Again.

The federal govt already has extensive, comprehensive information on my name, age, address, criminal record, school record, public health records, employment, income , dependents, spousal situation, photos ,friends/family/acquaintances through security clearances, international travel records, internal flight records, fingerprints, biometrics and more. They get much of this updated regularly, and surely have more info on file about me than I can remember about myself, since I've flooded multiple databases for a long time. They also know I am still alive. It is enough.

[Smallc]

They do have all that information...but it's confidential. They need permission from you to access it. That census gives they quick, central access to that information.

[Smallc]

What relevance could the government possibly require to things like color of skin and religious affiliation?

You don't understand the value of demographic information? Really?

[Handsome Rob]

You don't understand the value of demographic information? Really?

Sure place of birth is important. Why could skin color possibly be important?

[g_bambino]

Sure place of birth is important. Why could skin color possibly be important?

Is there really a question on the census that asks for your skin colour?

[Handsome Rob]

Is there really a question on the census that asks for your skin colour?

Sorry, the phrase is "ethnicity." Sick of that word.

[segnosaur]

Is there really a question on the census that asks for your skin colour?

The exact questions asked on the census form related to your ethnic background are:

This question collects information on the ancestral origins of the population and provides information about the composition of Canada's diverse population.

17. What were the ethnic or cultural origins of this person's ancestors?

An ancestor is usually more distant than a grandparent.

For example, Canadian, English, French, Chinese, East Indian, Italian, German, Scottish, Irish, Cree, Mi'kmaq, Salish, Métis, Inuit, Filipino, Dutch, Ukrainian, Polish, Portuguese, Greek, Korean, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Jewish, Lebanese, Salvadorean, Somali, Colombian, etc.

Specify as many origins as applicable using capital letters.

__________________

__________________

__________________

__________________

19. Is this person:

Mark more than one or specify, if applicable.

This information is collected in accordance with the Employment Equity Act and its Regulations and Guidelines to support programs that promote equal opportunity for everyone to share in the social, cultural, and economic life of Canada.

White

South Asian (e.g., East Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, etc.)

Chinese

Black

Filipino

Latin American

Arab

Southeast Asian (e.g., Vietnamese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Laotian, etc.)

West Asian (e.g., Iranian, Afghan, etc.)

Korean

Japanese

Other - Specify

__________________

From: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/household-menages/5178-eng.htm

[segnosaur]

The federal govt already has extensive, comprehensive information on my name, age, address, criminal record, school record, public health records, employment, income , dependents...

First of all, as someone already pointed out, much of that information is restricted. For example, revenue canada can't necessarily release your income to Statscan.

Secondly, even if the information could be released, the information is spread across multiple databases. Attempting to tie it all together would be almost impossible. For example, children may not have an identifying social insurance number, so you risk either counting them twice, or not counting them at all.

I have to agree with Smallc here.... not filling out at least the short form is a very foolish thing to do.

[cybercoma]

You guys do know that researchers actually use the census information, right?

Like, for instance, when you say Natives are lazy, good-for-nothing, freeloading criminals... researchers actually find out through whether that's actually the case and what the reasons are for crime rates and umemployment being higher in those communities.

By not filling out the census, you actually cost the government more money because researchers then have to get grants to conduct their own surveys.

So, suit yourselves. They'll get the information anyway. You're just going to make it more expensive for them to do so.

[WWWTT]

It's the LAW to fill it out. Does not the government already have all our information through various depts and stuff like income tax forms and licenses?? (Like my drivers licence) ....

And apparently in the spot for Religion ... Jedi is used a lot.

You spelt it wrong.

Volkswagon Jeta!

WWWTT

[Topaz]

It seems to me its time for us, citizens to create ae own census on the government and its players, dealing with there spending habits, political views on certain topics, travelling etc. What would you put on the census if we created one for them?

[GostHacked]

You spelt it wrong.

Volkswagon Jeta!

WWWTT

Jetta .. two Ts.

[Bryan]

They do have all that information...but it's confidential. They need permission from you to access it. That census gives they quick, central access to that information.

If the census is mandatory, how is that me giving "permission"?

If the information must be disclosed by law, but they already have the information on file, they don't need me or the added layers of bureaucracy to achieve the same result.

[Handsome Rob]

If the census is mandatory, how is that me giving "permission"?

If the information must be disclosed by law, but they already have the information on file, they don't need me or the added layers of bureaucracy to achieve the same result.

It's collected off the long form, now national household survey; which I understand is not mandetory. On said survey, they ask for permission or you can give it manually.

[ToadBrother]

So if people don't fill out their census, the government won't know where to spend money? That sounds like as good a reason as any not to fill it out.

They also won't know where new seats in Parliament may need to be distributed, and the provinces won't know similar things about their own riding distributions.

Look, there are duties to being a citizen; paying taxes, jury duty, and yes filling out census forms.

[capricorn]

First of all, as someone already pointed out, much of that information is restricted. For example, revenue canada can't necessarily release your income to Statscan.

Secondly, even if the information could be released, the information is spread across multiple databases. Attempting to tie it all together would be almost impossible. For example, children may not have an identifying social insurance number, so you risk either counting them twice, or not counting them at all.

I have to agree with Smallc here.... not filling out at least the short form is a very foolish thing to do.

What segnosaur said.

[capricorn]

I just completed the short form census and it took no more than 15 minutes.

[Topaz]

A Tory sid on CBC today, the census is to be filled out and if you don't $500 fine and/ or jail time but there's been no jail time for anyone, have to wait until they build them I guess and the 500.00 , they NEED. You have 10 days to return. I ask for paper, don't trust the internet and want to make a copy.

[Moonlight Graham]

A couple of years ago i wouldn't want to fill out a census because of "privacy" and whatnot, if i had the choice i'd throw it in the trash. However, i've learned that the census is extremely valuable for researchers & academics on a large variety of issues/studies. Many social/economic problems can be and have been helped by this research by a wide variety of academic fields, including social work, psychology, economics, political science, etc.

Filling out these census forms sucks, but the info helps make our country a better place to live.