STATISTICAL COMMISSION and ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE CONFERENCE

STATISTICAL COMMISSION and ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE CONFERENCE OF EUROPEAN STATISTICIANS STATISTICS CANADA – CENSUS ON THE NET Invited paper submitted by Statistics Canada Fifty-third plenary session (Geneva, 13 -15 June 2005)

Canadian Census • Legal requirement every 5 years • Next Census May 16 th, 2006; 13 million dwellings • 80%-short form (8 questions); 20%-long form (53 questions) • Traditionally benefited from a high (77% in 2001) response rate prior to field follow-up • Targeting 20% on-line response • The internet response option is one of a number of other significant technological and methodological changes – the largest set of changes in 30 years • Conducted a comprehensive/successful test of the systems and processes in May 2004 2

Pre-conditions and Strategic Considerations • Pre-Conditions • Strategic Considerations – Connectivity and public expectations – Mature security infrastructure – Collection Methodology – Statistical agency experience with Internet – Investments – Potential Savings – In-house development or contracting out – Capitalizing on Opportunities – Public Communications 3

Response Pattern 4

Follow-up Rates 5

Issues and Lessons Learned • • Integration and testing are key Long term investment with risks Potential for increased quality and timeliness Communications challenges – Complicates message – Intentions not necessarily result in desired action – Response pattern and volumes are difficult to predict/control • Security and accessibility trade-offs • Evolving medium with new risks 6

Questions • Questions? 7