Industry Committee on March 8th, 2011

[Dr. Ivan Fellegi]

Until now, between 1971 and 2006 we had a more complex form of census-taking. Until 1971 everybody got the long form. There was only one census and that was the long form. In 1971 we said the long-form information could be collected from a large sample, one in five, but a sample. Therefore, four in five would get the short form, and one in five would get the long form. The two together were the census.

That's the way it was in 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, etc., until 2006. In 2011 it will be just a short form. That is now called the census. What used to be part of the census, the long form, is now designated as the national household survey, because that's the only way it can be made voluntary. The object was to make it voluntary and the only legal way to make it voluntary was to separate it from the census and call it a survey.

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

Again, I keep looking at this, and what I'm hearing is, yes, we still have a census. Part of it is a survey; it's been changed, modified.

As for the number of people it does reach, Mr. Smith, you're talking about 85% in the north. A lot of effort has gone on up there. What numbers are you looking at in the rest of Canada?

[Wayne Smith]

I did not offer the northern experience as a predictor of what would happen in southern Canada. Our planning assumption remains 50% for Canada as a whole. We're hopeful that we'll do substantially better, but--

[Anthony Rota, Liberal, Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON]

That includes the 85%--

[Wayne Smith]

--the planning assumption is still 50%. So far, things are going well.

[The Chair, Conservative, David Sweet]

Thank you very much, Mr. Smith and Mr. Rota.

Now we'll go on to Mr. Lake for five minutes.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you to the witnesses for coming today.

I'm glad to hear you clear up some of the confusion in the Liberal Party. Maybe they'll change their vote when the next vote comes around now that they know a census is still happening, but I won't hold my breath for that.

If I could, I'm going to start with Mr. McKinnon.

Do you believe that Canadians should be filling out the census and the national household survey?

[Ian McKinnon]

I would strongly encourage people to fill out the national household survey. I believe they have an obligation to fill out the census.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

So if you get one, a national household survey, you'll fill it out?

[Ian McKinnon]

Yes, I would.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Can you tell me what your organization is doing to ensure that the national household survey and the census are successful?

[Ian McKinnon]

We have traditionally worked with Statistics Canada in the development of the questions, starting years before the survey begins. We have at times had ad hoc working groups that have supported Statistics Canada, particularly in things like advising on media or issues that arise in the census.

The advice we give tends to be more in terms of what end users need. That would be the core of our advice, as well as providing, where it's appropriate, supplemental technical advice to the deep expertise that StatsCan already possesses.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Most of those sound as if they've already happened at this point. Is there anything in terms of the promotion where you'd be in touch with many other statistical experts across the country? Are you playing any role in terms of promotion?

[Ian McKinnon]

Not an active one now.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

For example, I was thinking that in your position you'd get asked to do some public relations interviews on the radio and things, and you would be willing to do that if asked, I imagine, across the country.

[Ian McKinnon]

As the census day approaches and as the results come out, occasionally members of the council who have particular areas of expertise aligned with particular topic areas in the census historically have made themselves available or have been asked by StatsCan to make themselves available to the press. We tend to be eager to take on that role.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

That's perfect.

Dr. Fellegi, I'm going to ask you the same questions. I think I know the answer, but first, do you believe Canadians should fill out the census and the national household survey?

[Dr. Ivan Fellegi]

Absolutely.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

And you'll fill it out if you get it, obviously?

[Dr. Ivan Fellegi]

Absolutely.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

As I imagine everybody in this room would.

What are you doing? I'm a little confused as to your role. You're the former chief statistician of Canada. Do you still have a role to play? What is your role as it relates to driving the success of this?

[Dr. Ivan Fellegi]

I don't have a formal role at all.

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

You don't? Okay. You do have an office, though...

[Dr. Ivan Fellegi]

I have an office on an emeritus basis--

[Mike Lake, Conservative, Edmonton—Mill Woods—Beaumont, AB]

Okay.