1. 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

2. 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
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

3. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
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
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

4. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
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
Bullet 1 - Source of addresses for mail-out is the Address Register (AR); Had a record for each dwelling with a mail-able address.
Had a record for each estimated dwelling in list/leave areas (no address available)
Bullet 2 - Canada Post, internet submissions and Non Response Follow Up)
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

5. 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
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

6. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
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 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
Required a tool for planning purposes
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

7. 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
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

8. Census Collection Response Rates
NHS collection response rate was 69% - planning assumption was 50%
Internet response rate was
The internet was the primary mode of response for Canadians.
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

9. Census Response Rates by Collection Method
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

10. Census Item Non-response Rates
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

11. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
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
The Wave 1 letter resulted in a higher response by Internet compared to receiving a questionnaire
There was an effect from Wave 2 and Wave 3 that mitigated the risk of higher NRFU caused by sending out only a letter
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019

12. Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
Contact Information
Connie Graziadei
Statistics Canada • Statistique Canada
01/06/2019