Census: Are these questions invasive?
- July 27, 2010 12:00 PM |
- By POV
Industry Minister Tony Clement appears before a parliamentary committee looking into changes of the long-form census. (Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)
Industry Minister Tony Clement told a parliamentary committee Tuesday the government has sought to find a "balance" between collecting data and respecting Canadians' privacy with its recent decision to scrap the mandatory long census form.
"We do not believe that it is appropriate to compel Canadians to divulge extensive private and personal information," Clement said. "We do not believe that Canadians should be forced under threat of fines, jail, or both, to divulge the answers to questions such as 'how many sick days did you take last year?'"
The following are questions that would have been found on the mandatory long-form census, according to Clement, but are now part of the new voluntary form, which you can see here.
Do you think these questions invade your privacy? If so, which ones? Do you think the long census should be mandatory or voluntary? Let us know below.
"We do not believe that it is appropriate to compel Canadians to divulge extensive private and personal information," Clement said. "We do not believe that Canadians should be forced under threat of fines, jail, or both, to divulge the answers to questions such as 'how many sick days did you take last year?'"
The following are questions that would have been found on the mandatory long-form census, according to Clement, but are now part of the new voluntary form, which you can see here.
- In how many weeks did this person work in 2010? Include those weeks in which this person: was on vacation or sick leave with pay; worked full-time or part-time; worked for wages, salary, tips or commission; was self-employed; worked directly toward the operation of a family farm or business without formal pay arrangements.
- At what time did this person usually leave home to go work?
- In 2010, did this person pay child or spousal support payments to a former spouse or partner?
- For this dwelling, what are the yearly payments (last 12 months) for electricity?
- Is this dwelling in need of repairs?
Do you think these questions invade your privacy? If so, which ones? Do you think the long census should be mandatory or voluntary? Let us know below.
(This poll is not scientific. It is based on readers' responses.)
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