The survey series Portrait of Canadian Society (PCS) involves creating a pool of people who agree to complete four very short online surveys over a period of one year. This is the second time that Statistics Canada is conducting this type of survey.
For now, this is an experimental project. We will be able to test this collection method thanks to you and other volunteers agreeing to participate. In the medium term, we plan on using this method, which is more effective and economical than traditional methods, to collect important data for Canadian society.
The first survey of the series focused on perceptions of life during the pandemic.
The second survey of the series focuses on experiences during the pandemic.
The third survey of the series focuses on the impacts of rising prices.
Your information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.
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Block Information Confidentiality
Confidentiality
Data are collected under the authority of the Statistics Act, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1985, Chapter S-19. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.
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Record linkage
Record linkage
To enhance the data from this survey and reduce the response burden, Statistics Canada will combine the information you provide with information from the General Social Survey - Social Identity.
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Block Information on Topics covered in the survey
Topics covered in the survey
The surveys will cover a variety of social topics. The link to the surveys in this project will be added here as the information becomes available.
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Block Information on Published data
Published data
To see results from the Portrait of Canadian Society (PCS), please click on the following links:
- Portrait of Canadian Society: Perceptions of Life During the Pandemic
- Portrait of Canadian Society: Experiences During the Pandemic
For more information about the impact of COVID-19 on Canadians, see COVID-19 in Canada: A Two-year Update on Social and Economic Impacts.
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Block Information on Survey-specific questions
Survey-specific questions
- What is the survey series Portrait of Canadian Society?
- How and why was I selected?
- What does the project involve?
- What will the surveys be about?
- How much time will it take me to participate in this project?
- What are the benefits of participating in this project?
- I do not want to participate because I don't have time. Is my participation mandatory?
- How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
What is the survey series Portrait of Canadian Society?
The survey series Portrait of Canadian Society is a new Statistics Canada initiative. It involves asking the same group of participants to complete four brief online surveys over a one-year period.
For now, this is an experimental project which is part of a larger effort to modernize our data collection methods and activities. Thanks to you and all of the people who agree to participate, we will be able to test this new collection method. The goal is to collect important data on Canadian society more efficiently, more rapidly and at a lower cost compared to traditional survey methods.
How and why was I selected?
You recently participated in the General Social Survey on Social Identity (GSS-SI). Selecting people who have already participated in a survey simplifies our data collection process. Since we already know basic information, such as your age and sex, we don't need to ask those questions again. Your participation is very important because you represent many other Canadians with characteristics similar to yours.
What does the project involve?
It's very easy to participate in the survey series Portrait of Canadian Society. We will send you an invitation to participate in the first survey by email or text message. Once you receive the invitation, you will be able to complete the questionnaire at your convenience. You will receive an invitation for a new survey approximately every few months, until all four of the surveys are complete. After that, we will no longer contact you for this project, except to provide the survey results to you.
What will the surveys be about?
The subjects will vary and will touch on current issues. All of the surveys will aim to better understand Canadians' perspectives on societal trends and changes.
How much time will it take me to participate in this project?
Each survey will take a maximum of five to ten minutes to complete. As the surveys are completed online, you will be able to participate at any time that is convenient for you during the collection period.
What are the benefits of participating in this project?
You will be helping us to implement a new method of data collection that will provide information on Canadian society more quickly and cost effectively.
You will also receive your own results after we compile and anonymize all of the data. You will therefore be able to compare your results to the general trends captured by the surveys.
I do not want to participate because I don't have time. Is my participation mandatory?
We would greatly appreciate your cooperation, but participation is not mandatory. Please note, however, that each survey will only take a maximum of five to ten minutes of your time, and you can do it online whenever it is convenient for you.
How will you safeguard the confidentiality of my information?
As with all Statistics Canada surveys, any information provided will remain confidential pursuant to the Statistics Act.
Statistics Canada takes the privacy of Canadians very seriously. Published data can never identify you or your household.
To find out more about the measures in place to safeguard the confidentiality of your information, visit Statistics Canada's Trust Centre.
- For more information about this survey