Ottawa, May 8, 2013—The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, today issued the following statement on the first ever release of data from the National Household Survey:
"The National Household Survey provides useful and usable data for Canadian communities, representing 97 percent of the population. In fact, more Canadians responded to the National Household Survey than its predecessor, the mandatory long-form census.
"Our government is committed to collecting statistical data while protecting Canadians' privacy. And Canadians responded: more than 2.5 million households returned the survey, achieving a response rate of 68 percent and making this the largest voluntary survey ever conducted in Canada.
"This was the first time a voluntary National Household Survey was undertaken. Our government will be looking at options to improve the quality and reliability of the data generated by the 2016 census cycle."
Today's release by Statistics Canada is the first in a series of three releases that together will provide a statistical portrait of the country.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Margaux Stastny
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis
Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
