Changes in the Canadian Census of Population Program

Changes in the Canadian Census of Population Program Conference of European Statisticians 2012 Seminar: Challenges for Future Population and Housing Censuses Connie Graziadei June 2012

Key Components of 2011 Strategy § Wave methodology promoting Internet response § An automated system to enable Canadians to call for a paper questionnaire § Master Control System § Wave modelling for daily monitoring and active management of operations § National Household Survey 2 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Wave Methodology § Multiple contact approaches to encourage response § Wave 1 - Sent out a letter instead of a questionnaire. No immediate option for paper response but the letter must provide an effective method to request a paper questionnaire § Wave 2 - As the returns from Wave 1 started to decline, sent out a reminder letter to those who didn’t respond § Wave 3 - As the returns from Wave 2 start to decline, sent out a questionnaire to dwellings that are still not responding after the first two waves § Wave 4 - Start non-response follow-up after the returns from the questionnaire mail-out start to decline § Aligned public communication messages 3 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Master Control System § A list of all dwellings in Canada to which a questionnaire would be mailed or dropped off § Central system that integrated information from other collection and processing systems. § Each record given a unique frame-id and a secure access code § Monitored the status of each dwelling through collection (and processing § Provided daily updates to the Management Information System for “almost real-time” reporting of work in progress 4 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Questionnaire Request System § Toll free telephone number provided on the Wave 1 and Wave 2 letters § A 24/7 telephone service allowing respondents to request a paper questionnaire using their 15 digit secure access code (SAC) § SAC is validated and transmitted to Master Control System which then transmits address details to Canada Post Corporation § Canada Post addresses and links the pre-packaged questionnaire § Linked file is updated on the Master Control System 5 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Wave Modelling § Created a mathematical model to represent the implementation of the wave methodology for 2011 operations § Provided the planned daily and cumulative volumetrics for printing, collection and processing § Used for estimation and scenario building § Plan numbers based on daily returns and live test in 2006 census and 2009 Census Test § Was further enhanced to include planned field work efforts. Actual Management Information System was incorporated throughout operations to make the model more “dynamic” § Implemented in an Excel workbook – not user friendly 6 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

National Household Survey § Replaced the long-form used in previous censuses § Conducted on a voluntary basis; following the Census § Sample of 4. 5 million dwellings § Used the Census infrastructure and methodology 7 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Census Collection Response Rates The internet was the primary mode of response for Canadians. 8 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Census Response Rates by Collection Method 9 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Census Item Non-response Rates 10 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Lessons Learned § Wave methodology an effective approach resulting in high Internet response. § Gap between waves was not long enough § Accuracy of mail-out file is paramount § Better tools and training required for Census Help Line operators § Some Canadian do not use traditional mail services § Too early to conclude on the quality of the National Household Survey 11 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19

Contact Information Connie Graziadei 1 -613 -951 -7081 connie. graziadei@statcan. gc. ca 12 Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada 2021 -10 -19