Census Questions

At the door, Census Workers asked the following questions:

1. Structure detail
2. Site status (occupancy)
3. Dwelling rented or owned 
4. Number of residents

For each resident:

1. Gender
2. Citizenship
3. School residency
4. Year of birth
5. Month of birth
6. Marital status
7. Employment status
8. Term of residence at current location
9. Previous residence if living in dwelling for less than a year
10. The mode of transportation that is used to get to your place of employment

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is "dwelling ownership" asked?
2. Why is "number of residents" asked?
3. Why is "gender" asked?
4. Why is "citizenship status" asked?
5. Why is "school residency" asked?
6. Why is "age" asked?
7. Why is "marital status" asked?
8. Why is "employment status" asked?
9. Why is "term of residence" asked?
10. Why is "main mode of transportation from home to work" asked?
11. When does the Census start?
12. Why is the City conducting a Census?
13. Why does the City need to conduct a Census?
14. Why should people participate in the Census? Why is it important?
15. How will I know the person at the door is a City Census Worker?
16. Why should I answer the questions? Do I have to answer them?
17. What if I am not home when the Census Worker comes to my door?
18. What happens to my information once it is returned to the Census Office?
19. How can I be sure my information is safe?

1. Why is "dwelling ownership" asked?

This information provides important data for studies related to housing policies and programs.

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2. Why is "number of residents" asked?

The primary purpose for conducting the Census is to produce an accurate population count. This count provides the basis for calculating per capita grants received by the City of Edmonton. These grants represent a substantial amount of money and improve the quality of life for Edmontonians.

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3. Why is "gender" asked?

Gender-specific information is essential in any population analysis, and makes other characteristics more meaningful in research and planning. This information helps flag possible changes in migration patterns or the influence of the labour market.

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4. Why is "citizenship status" asked?

Canadian citizenship is a qualification to vote in municipal elections. This question assists in determining the number of eligible voters and in determining the location and number of voting subdivisions.

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5. Why is "school residency" asked?

The City of Edmonton uses this information for election planning purposes. The School Districts require this information to determine needs within their school systems.  In Edmonton we confirm residency for the Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools only.

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6. Why is "age" asked?

Knowledge of age distribution is required to plan programs and facilities for schools, recreational centres, senior citizens and housing requirements. Age information is needed to determine overall human resource potential. Other characteristics of the census are much more meaningful when studied in conjunction with age. The school districts also use this information to project student enrolment at a district-wide level as well as at a school by school grade level and their facility requirements. 

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7. Why is "marital status" asked?

This information indicates changes in the composition of households, and is required for planning and forecasting purposes.

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8. Why is "employment status" asked?

This question measures work-related activities and studies labour resources and labour markets of Edmonton.

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9. Why is "term of residence" asked?

How long a person has resided in their residence tells the City about residential stability of its population.

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10. Why is "main mode of transportation from home to work" asked?

This question is used to determine modes of transportation from neighborhoods to work locations. This information assists the Transportation department with trending which helps them plan for future transportation requirements.

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11. When does the Census start?

Census workers begin collecting census data on April 1, 2012. The collection continues through the month of April, with follow-up on missed properties in early May.

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12. Why is the City conducting a Census?

In July 2011, City Council passed policy C520B. The policy states that the City of Edmonton will conduct a biennial Census starting in 2012.

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13. Why does the City need to conduct a Census?

The City is growing and changing fast. We need up-to-date facts.

• Many grants from other orders of government are calculated on a per capita basis. We need an accurate count of our population to maximize those grants.
• We need to know how the city is growing and changing to plan city services now and in the long term.
• We use this information to ensure ward boundaries are set to ensure fair representation by population.
  

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14. Why should people participate in the Census? Why is it important?

The City will only receive grants for the people identified in the Census. Likewise, City staff can only plan and deliver services for the people they know are out there. Ensuring you are counted is an important step in helping civic services get to you and your family.

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15. How will I know the person at the door is a City Census Worker?

All Census Workers will present City-issued identification. We would encourage you to confirm their identification before you answer questions.

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16. Why should I answer the questions? Do I have to answer them?

Any resident has the right to refuse to answer the Census questions. However, it is in the best interest of Edmontonians that every individual be counted. To be missed from the Census means that Edmonton misses out on much needed per capita grant funds used for service delivery, as well as the information required to make informed decisions on the use of the funds.

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17. What if I am not home when the Census Worker comes to my door?

The second time a Census Worker comes to a residence and finds no one home, information will be left in the mailbox or on the door telling you the Census Worker was there. The information will give you a cell phone number to contact the Census Worker so that a convenient time can be set for the Census Worker to return.

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18. What happens to my information once it is returned to the Census Office?

Following receipt of the forms by the Election & Census Office, the forms will be electronically scanned and the amalgamated information transferred to the City’s Census Reporting System for long term management and data report generation purposes. The computer hard drives containing the original scanned data from the forms will be destroyed to ensure the protection of the information from unauthorized access.

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19. How can I be sure my information is safe?

During training, Census Workers are instructed on the importance of ensuring the information being collected is protected and that they cannot share this information with anyone other than a member of their census team (Area Supervisor, Ward Coordinator, and Census Office Staff). Each Census Worker signs a letter of acknowledgment to reinforce these expectations. The acknowledgement is also printed on their City-issued identification.

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For more information:

Election and Census Services