Question Period Note: STATISTICS CANADA – Census of Agriculture

Farmers back home are working long hours to get their crops in the ground. Many of them have reached out report that statscan workers are going around farm to farm with a 2021 census and are needlessly holding up production. To make matters worse they show up the day before the census is due, making it impossible for it to be filled out on time. This is no way to treat farmers who are in the middle of their busy season. Why can't statscan send surveys in the mail on time instead of driving around rural Saskatchewan

• We understand that May is a very busy period for farmers who put food on our tables.

• We are grateful to those farmers who have completed their Census of Agriculture and would like to note that there is still time for others to complete their Census.

• The Census of Agriculture provides valuable information to farmers and members of the agri-food business to help them plan for the future.

• Invitation letters to complete the Census of Agriculture were delivered by Canada Post starting late April. The Census of Agriculture does not send enumerators on farms.

Statistics Canada has adapted to the reality of the pandemic and has redesigned the census approach to ensure that all Canadians and our employees remain safe while participating in this vital national exercise.
All farm operations are requested to answer the Census of Agriculture, while all Canadian households (including farmers) must answer the Census of Population.
While the arrival of the questionnaire in May might seem ill-timed, the Census of Agriculture is saving millions of dollars in taxpayer’s money by sharing many aspects of collection and processing with the Census of Population. We understand that farmers may not be able to complete their questionnaire quickly during this very busy period of the year. While farmers are encouraged to complete their questionnaire as soon as they can, they can also answer the Census of Agriculture later in the summer. Questionnaires can be completed via the Internet, or by telephone if assistance is required.
Although Statistics Canada conducts other agriculture surveys, only the Census of Agriculture provides data at the local level. Its community-level data ensure that the issues affecting farmers, farm communities and agricultural operations are included in the decisions that affect them and their livelihood. The media also interpret census data, bringing current issues to the forefront of public attention.

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