The long-form census is back, it's online and this time, it's mandatory

Statistics Canada today officially begins mailingout access codes so Canadians can prepare to complete the 2016 census online either the regular or the newly restored long-form version next week.

Census Day isMay 10, but Statistics Canadais encouraging Canadians to complete their census forms as soon as they receive them.

The letterswill provide a 16-digit access code to allow households to complete the census online, but also gives Canadians theoption ofhavinga paper version mailed to their homes.

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The census collectsdemographic information on every personliving inCanada. That informationis then usedby governments, businesses, associations, community organizations and othersto make important decisions at the municipal, provincialand the federal levels. Results from the census are also used to help inform payment allocation at all levels of government.

One in four randomly selected households in Canada will receive the 36-page long-form questionnaire known as the National Household Survey, while the remainderof Canadianswill receive the 10-question short version. Both are mandatory.

Under Section 31 of the Statistics Act, the consequencefor failing to provide information to a mandatory census or falsely answering is liable to a summary convictioncarrying afine of up to $500,imprisonment of up to three months,or both.

Changes from the 2011NHS

While most of thequestions in the 2016 census remain the same as those in the 2011 surveys to maintain comparability over time,there are a few notable changes.

First, income data will be retrieved from personal income tax and benefits files, replacing income-related questions asked on previous censuses.

Statistics Canada says this is in an effort to reduce the burden on Canadians, manage collection costs and obtain the most accurate information on income.The department is allowed toaccess the Canada Revenue Agency statistical data under Sections 13 and 24 of the Statistics Act.

Additionally, the 2016 census will not contain a question regarding religion, which is only included every 10 years and was asked in 2011.

Another notable change is the scope of the long-form survey. One in four Canadian households this year will receive the long-form questionnaire, which is lower than the one in three households that received the Conservative government's voluntary NHS in 2011.

According to a Dec. 23 briefing note on the 2016 Census Program, prepared by two directors general of the census program and obtained by CBC News under Access to Information,Statistics Canadahas alsochanged the timetable for sharing census results. Allresults collected from this census will be released within 18 months six months sooner than in2011.

Back to the mandatory long form

The day after the Liberalstook office late in2015, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains announced the government would reinstate the mandatory long-form census, fulfilling a Liberal campaign promise.

"We want to make sure we're driving good policies, based on good evidence, and good quality data, and that's what this announcement is about,"Bainstold reporters last November.

The thenConservative government had eliminated the mandatory long-formcensus in 2006,opting instead to make it voluntary in 2011 (the regular short survey was still mandatory). The Conservatives felt the voluntary NHS was a lessinvasive way of gathering data.

However,Bainsnoted census participationdropped to 77 per centin 2011, from 93.5 per centin 2006, prompting concerns about accuracy and gaps in data.

"The quality of the 2011 data published was generally high. However, the information collected did not rise to the data quality of the 2006 Census long form.In some areas with smaller populations and for some population groups, the response rate was insufficient to provide a valid statistical picture," AnthonyErtl, a media relations officer forStatistics Canada, said in an email to CBC News last week.

In fact, the data agencydid not publish community-level data from the 2011 long-form survey for approximately 1,100 communities because of unacceptably low response rates.This is in comparison tofewer than 160 communities whosedata were not released as a result of data quality issues in 2006.

"We committed to a government that functions based on evidence and facts and long-form censuses are an important part of making surewe're serving constituents in ourcommunities,"Trudeautold CBC News following the announcement of the mandatory long-form form's return in November.

According toErtl, the goal of the 2016 Census program is to restore the quality of data for special populations and at all levels of geography, including the coverage of small municipalities, to the levels of the 2006 census.

Ertlsaid this will provide communities with the necessary informationto make decisions on services such as schools, roads, health care, policing, transit and social services.

5 questions from the long-form census

1. Does this person agree to make his/her 2016 National Household Survey information available in 2108 (92 years after the census)?
2. Does this person have any emotional, psychological or mental-health conditions (anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, anorexia, etc.)?
3. How many rooms are in this dwelling (don't count bathrooms, halls, vestibules orrooms solely used for business purposes)?
4. Is this dwelling in need of anyrepairs (not including desirable remodeling or additions)?
5. Who pays the rent or mortgage, taxes, electricity, etc., for this dwelling?