2011 is a Census Year in Canada!

Early in May, yellow census packages will be delivered to every dwelling in Canada, providing residents with the information they need to complete the census online or on paper. Completed questionnaires will provide valuable information that will be used by all levels of government to make decisions about your neighbourhood and community.

Census information is important for all communities and is vital for planning services such as schools, daycare, police services and fire protection

Every person, young and old, must be included in the 2011 Census. Statistics Canada needs Canadian businesses to support the census by making clients and employees aware that they must complete their census questionnaire.

For more information about the 2011 Census, click here or visit www.census2011.gc.ca  

National Household Survey

In addition to the 2011 Census, some residents will be asked to participate in the new National Household Survey (NHS). The information collected in the NHS will provide data to plan and support family services, housing, roads and public transportation, and skills training for employment.

Your information will help paint a detailed and comprehensive picture of Canadian society. If you receive the NHS, support your community and complete the survey.

The NHS will collect the same information that was collected by the 2006 Census long-form questionnaire. For information to be available for future planning and decision making, it is important that all people who receive the NHS complete the questionnaire. Please encourage your clients and employees to respond to this survey so the business community can have accurate, reliable data.

The 2006 long-form questionnaire offers some interesting facts about working in Canada:

• Among the 25 municipalities with the most workers in Canada, the three with the largest increase in the number of workers were Vaughan ( 22.2%), Surrey ( 17.0%) and Laval ( 15.8%).
• Between 2001 and 2006, total employment in Canada increased at an annual average rate of 1.7%, the fastest rate increase among the Group of Seven (G7) nations.
• The median age of the labour force surpassed 40 years for the first time, rising from 39.5 years in 2001 to 41.2 years in 2006. The median is the point where half are older and half are younger.

For more information about the NHS, visit www.nhs.statcan.gc.ca.

Please note that Census Canada is still hiring enumerators until mid-April. If you know of anyone who might suit the job, please direct them to apply online at: www.census2011.gc.ca. These jobs are perfect for students looking for summer work, especially those returning home to rural areas.