Reading: Census

Read the article about the census to answer the followin questions:
1.What does census information provide?
2.What kind of questions will you be asked?
3. Who needs to complete the census questionaire?
4. When was the last census?
5. Is NHS mandatory?
6. Does Kiska think the census is useful?
7. Why are the census and NHS important?
8. What are some problems to immigrant population?
9. How can you complete the census questionaire?
10. Is it safe to complete it online?

Count yourself in

The word “census” comes from the Latin word censere — to appraise. Beginning on May 2, 2011, all households in Canada will receive a yellow census package. Census information collected from every person in Canada provides a statistical population portrait of the country and its people. Policy and fiscal decisions are then influenced by this data, so it is important every immigrant is counted in the census, as they are an essential part of the Canadian population.Even if it may seem intrusive, every household in Canada is required to complete a census questionnaire. The questionnaire asks basic questions such as age, sex, marital status, relationship to others in the household and mother tongue. The census includes every person living in Canada, as well as Canadians who are abroad. Persons in Canada including those holding a temporary resident permit, study permit or work permit, and their dependants, are also involved.The last census was in 2006, and the 2011 Census will consist of the same eight questions from the 2006 Census short-form questionnaire, with the addition of two questions on language. A new voluntary National Household Survey (NHS) of approximately 4.5 million households will be conducted within four weeks of the May 2011 short-form census. Riska (named changed for privacy), who emigrated from Singapore to Canada, has previously filled out a Canadian census form, but still questions it. “Although it is not a tedious process,” she says, “I have yet to know the usefulness of the census. Has it been demonstrated how the information has helped the government build better policies, or is it a waste of public funds?”

Why it’s important
“The census and NHS, National Household Survey, are extremely important to the immigrant community,” says Marc Hamel, director general for the 2011 Census. “They are the main source of detailed, reliable data for immigrants and ethnic groups. The information collected provides crucial data to support government programs directed at immigrants such as language classes, skills training and employment programs. Statistics Canada is counting on all immigrants to complete the census and to respond to the NHS when they receive the survey.”When Canadians, whether born in or outside of Canada, complete the census, they are providing essential information that will be used in making decisions — for their neighbourhood, their community, their province and Canada as a whole. Communities depend on census information when planning for new schools, health care, housing, waterworks, public transit, police and fire services.
Response barriers
Statistics Canada is, therefore, trying to address any potential barriers to immigrant participation in the 2011 Census, including language. While the census questionnaire is in English and French, the questions have been translated into 30 different languages and will be available on the census website at census2011.gc.ca. Census employees will speak most major languages in Canada and will offer assistance to those with language barriers.Privacy is also a concern for many, but Statistics Canada says it places the highest importance on protecting the confidentiality of respondents’ information. No information is released from the census that would identify individuals.
Completing the census
Watch for the yellow census package that all households in Canada will start receiving on May 2. You can complete it in paper format or online. Canadians are also being encouraged to complete the questionnaire online, a method that officials call “fast, safe and good for the environment … A secure login process and strong encryption are key elements in helping to prevent anyone from eavesdropping or tampering with your census information when you complete and send it online.”
Taken from The Canadian Immigrant