Statistics Canada – Census on the net

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Arora, Anil^a | Gilmour, Graeme^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Census Management Office, Statistics Canada, 1-B2 Jean Talon Building, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6, Canada | [b] Census Operations Division, Statistics Canada, 4-C6 Jean Talon Building, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 613 951 9136; Fax: +1 613 951 5969; E-mail: Graeme.gilmour@statcan.ca

Abstract: Statistics Canada, like several other statistical agencies around the globe, is providing a secure online Internet based application so that everyone who lives in Canada can complete their 2006 Census questionnaire online. This short document will highlight some of what we have learned following the decision to offer an online option for 2006 and testing it in a sizeable dress rehearsal in May, 2004. Though not yet implemented on a national scale, the introduction of this added response channel is one of the major changes to census methodology in Canada in more than 30 years. Specifically, this paper examines basic pre-conditions that should exist prior to the consideration of offering a census online option, strategic and business case considerations, main risks, challenges and benefits, and long-term opportunities.

Keywords: Census online, web-based data collection

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-2006-23102

Journal: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 11-22, 2006