2006 Canadian census
The 2006 Canadian census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The following census was the 2011 census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897. This count was lower than the official July 1, 2006 population estimate of 32,623,490 people.[1] The previous census was the 2001 census and the following census was in 2011 census.
Advertising[edit]
In contrast to 1996 focus-groups that found it important to know the legal requirement at the outset, participants of 2005 focus-groups were annoyed or provoked by draft ads reminding Canadians about the census law. As a result of the finding, Statistics Canada's initial newspaper, radio and TV ads avoided mention of the legal requirement. Instead, reference to the census law was highlighted only in ads appearing after census day, to capture late filers.
To encourage participation, Statistics Canada set aside $13 million for "saturation" advertising, including billboards, bookmarks, inserts in municipal tax bills, and ads on bags of sugar and milk cartons.[28]
Outsourcing[edit]
Statistics Canada reports less than 20% of the work will be outsourced, spending $85 million over 5 years. Despite an open public tender process, controversy arose on the announcement of a $43.3 million deal awarded to Lockheed Martin Canada—a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defense contractor by defense revenue—for the purchase of scanning and printing software and hardware.[29]
A variety of forms were available in both official languages, varying in length, colour, and recipient's location.[30]
Most households (80%) received the short form (2A):
One in five received the long form (2B):
Federal and provincial employees and their families working in embassies and National Defence bases abroad (2C):
In the three northern territories and on Aboriginal communities and settlements (2D):
Census of Agriculture (6):
Special interest groups criticised Statistics Canada over the design of questions, accuracy, and the future of the census data:[31]
In addition, Statistics Canada's online questionnaire had been criticized over accessibility issues:[35]
The quality of data was further hampered by individuals who advocated minimal cooperation or non-cooperation, in protest to the outsourcing contract awarded to Lockheed Martin.[37] Many people believed that Lockheed Martin would have access to their information, and that the US government could then access that information through the USA PATRIOT Act. However, despite assurances to the contrary (i.e., only Statistics Canada employees would and could handle, store, and access the information), some people refused to participate fully in the census.
The release of data was postponed to numerous issues during enumeration.[2] These included:
As a result, the first release of data from the census, originally scheduled for release on February 13, 2007, was delayed to March 13, 2007.[2]