Frequently asked questions for all other surveys

• How did Statistics Canada choose me for one of its surveys?
• Do I have to participate in the survey?
• Why should I answer Statistics Canada's survey questions?
• How do I know my information will remain confidential?
• How do I know that this is a legitimate survey?
• I have participated in a Statistics Canada survey already. Why did you select me for another one?
• Who can I contact for more information?

How did Statistics Canada choose me for one of its surveys?

Participants for a sample survey are selected randomly in order to avoid any biases. Once you have been selected, we cannot ask anyone else to complete your questionnaire because the sample would no longer be random.

Do I have to participate in the survey?

If you have been contacted for the Census, the Labour Force Survey, a business survey or an agriculture survey, you have to participate because these surveys are mandatory as per the Statistics Act. For other surveys, participation is voluntary.

Why should I answer Statistics Canada's survey questions?

To ensure the most complete results, it is very important that the people selected answer the survey questions. Without your cooperation, Statistics Canada could not produce reliable and vital data.

The information gathered in our surveys has a direct impact on Canadians' lives. Click on any of the examples below for more details:

• Survey on Labour and Income Dynamics
• Maternity Experiences Survey
• Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey

Moreover, all of your responses are equally important. For example, to produce objective, accurate information about Internet use in Canada, responses from people who don't use the Internet are just as important as the responses from people who do.

How do I know my information will remain confidential?

Statistics Canada takes your confidentiality very seriously. Under the Statistics Act, all information provided to Statistics Canada will be kept confidential, and used only for statistical purposes. We do not release any information that could identify individuals, businesses or households.

Statistics Canada also cares about the privacy of its respondents. If a respondent knows the interviewer and is uneasy about giving personal information to that person, he or she can be interviewed by another Statistics Canada employee.

How do I know that this is a legitimate survey?

Statistics Canada surveys are conducted in person or by telephone. For many surveys, Statistics Canada will first send an introductory letter to let you know about the purpose of the survey and to inform you that an interviewer will communicate with you.

If you have not received such a letter, you can verify that the survey is indeed conducted by Statistics Canada:

• by looking up the name of your survey in the list of current surveys
• by verifying that the interviewer carries a photo identification card issued by Statistics Canada
• by contacting the Statistics Canada offices:
  • 1 800 263-1136 - Toll-free general enquiries line
  • 1 800 363-7629 - National TTY line (teletype machine)

Don't be surprised if a Statistics Canada interviewer shows up at your door or contacts you by telephone in the evening or on weekends. To accommodate the respondents' busy schedules, our team of dedicated interviewers works at different times of the day, and sometimes seven days a week. For a telephone survey, you could also be called from different areas of Canada.

I have participated in a Statistics Canada survey already. Why did you select me for another one?

This can happen because survey participants are randomly selected. Sometimes the characteristics we seek from one survey to another may overlap.

In some instances, a portion of the participants in one survey may be contacted again for another related survey. This practice cuts down on the time and expense it would take to conduct a brand new sample survey each time.

Who can I contact for more information?

For any questions related to Statistics Canada surveys, contact us.