In 2011 the Conservative government announced that due to privacy concerns the long form census would no longer be mandatory. It would be replaced by a short form census that would only collect basic demographic data.Opponents of the census include civil liberty advocates who argue that the long form census is too invasive and violates people’s privacy. Proponents of reinstating the census voluntary survey argue that without the mandatory long form census it’s harder to track trends in income inequality, immigrant outcomes in the jobs market, labour shortages and demographic shifts.
Response rates from 323k Canada voters.
61% Yes |
39% No |
51% Yes |
36% No |
4% Yes, if it was easier to complete online |
3% No, I would prefer a mandatory short form with an optional long form census |
3% Yes, the information is vital for economists, scientists, statisticians, and the government to accurately make important policy decisions |
1% No, privacy is more important than statistics |
3% Yes, but it should only be required every 5 years |
Trend of support over time for each answer from 323k Canada voters.
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Trend of how important this issue is for 323k Canada voters.
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Unique answers from Canada voters whose views went beyond the provided options.
@47BQ4GK4yrs4Y
It should be part of the income tax form
@4QXVML34yrs4Y
YES, but make it an online census and emailed to those email addresses given on their income tax submissions. If needed, offer paper format to those isolated areas.
@9RS542R2mos2MO
Yes, but it should include questions that are beneficial for progressing our society and what direction we are headed
@9MKYHZ75mos5MO
No, but the short form census should be mandatory and only have basic questions that cover most areas the government should know about to make important policy decisions such as population, basic demographics, and citizenship status
@9K6M4547mos7MO
if the next government ran in today and was less corrupted and vindicative about people, i'd say yes for every set of years and online.
@9FL7MVH1yr1Y
Yes, but it should exclude information about identity (ie. sexual orientation and gender identity)
@9F5KMPV1yr1Y
The census shouldn't be mandatory. The census should be optional for all canadians. A person shouldn't have to share any information they don't want with government. The census is helpful in understanding the country and its citizens. A long form census would be more helpful but short form would do. Privacy matters.
@8WC5MFZ3yrs3Y
Yes, if it was easier to complete online, required every 5 years, the information is vital for economists, scientists, statisticians, and the government to accurately make important policy decisions
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