The federal government needs an accurate count of everyone in each province to determine transfer payments.

Why does Canada take a census?

The census is more than counting all the people in Canada. The information obtained through the census is used by governments, businesses, academics and media organizations, just to name a few, to make decisions that affect everyone.

The federal government needs an accurate count of everyone in each province to determine transfer payments.

Elections Canada needs accurate population data when deciding on the borders of federal election districts.

School boards use data from the census to see where children live when planning when and where to build new schools.

While a telephone poll of 1,000 people may be accurate enough to gauge opinions (plus or minus three per cent, 19 times out of 20), it's just not good enough to provide the detailed information governments need to make policy decisions. A census of every person in Canada is required.

When are the census forms coming?

Census questionnaires should arrive at households across Canada in the first two weeks of May 2006. Most households will receive a form with just eight questions, while one in five will get a 53-question form. Statistics Canada says 20,000 households will receive no form at all; instead, they will get a letter with an access code, asking the recipient to complete the census online.

Households that don't receive a form by May 16 are requested to call Statistics Canada at 1-866-431-6600.

What's the difference between the short and long forms?

The short-form questionnaire contains the first six questions, plus questions 16 and 53, from the long questionnaire.

The eight questions on the short form seek basic personal information: name, sex, date of birth, the relationship to co-habitants and primary language.

The longer form asks more detailed questions about disabilities, place of birth, language, ancestry, education, work and income.

Are the questionnaires available in languages other than French and English?

Census information, including translations of the questions, is available in 62 languages, including 18 aboriginal languages.

The questions are also available in Braille and large print for the visually impaired, and the online version is compatible with adaptive technologies, such as screen readers for the blind.

An audio version of the questionnaire is also available, and the questions can be answered by telephone at the Census Help Line: 1-877-594-2006.

What's new in the 2006 census?

For the first time, census questionnaires can be completed online at census2006.ca, using the access code included in with the printed questionnaire form.

This year's census asks more detailed questions on education and includes a new question on where respondents received their highest level of education. The idea is to track any "brain drains" from one province to another, or from one country to another.

The census form does not include a new category for same-sex married couples for the question on household relationships, but Statistics Canada says such couples can write "same-sex married spouse" in the provided write-in field. Gay-rights group Egale Canada says the form discriminates against gay married couples, and is urging them to check "Husband and wife" rather than using the write-in space.

A question on religion, which has traditionally been asked, does not appear in the 2006 census.

The census now offers the option of skipping the income section by allowing Statistics Canada to use information available on your income tax file.

There is a new question asking for permission to allow Statistics Canada to make personal census information public in 92 years.

What's this about releasing my private information in the future?

Both the long and short versions of the census form include a box you can check to allow the release of personal information after 92 years. The private data of those who check that box will be transferred to Library and Archives Canada in 2098.

The box is new this year, following the passing of an amendment to the Statistics Act in 2005. It allows the release of personal records from censuses taken between 1911 and 2001, 92 years after the census. As of the 2006 census, though, Canadians will have to consent each time to having their personal information released to future historians and genealogists.

In the U.S., information from the census remains private for 72 years.

Canadian genealogists are urging people to check this box so their descendents will be able to find information on them.

In 2003, the federal government released information from the 1906 census of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. That gave historians a treasure trove of data to sift through, and they hope this year's respondents will check the box for the benefit of future historians.

I'm a francophone and I received an e-mail that said I shouldn't report my knowledge of English on the census because Ottawa will cut services to francophones if I do. Is that true?

Statistics Canada issued a clarification on language and services in response to this anonymous e-mail. The agency says information on mother tongue -- the first language learned at home and still understood -- is the basis the federal government uses to make decisions on French language services outside of Quebec.

Statistics Canada also said it does not assume that half of the people who say they are bilingual are anglophone and half are francophone, as the e-mail contends.

Did Statistics Canada contract out some of the work for the census?

Statistics Canada contracted out hardware, software and printing services needed for the census to Lockheed Martin Canada, IBM Canada and Transcontinental Printing Canada. The bureau says none of the contractors will be involved in collecting or handling census responses.

What if I don't want to be in the census?

All Canadian citizens are required by law to take part in the census. If you don't return a census form by May 16, expect a call from a census enumerator to remind you to send it in.

The maximum penalty for not filling out a census form, or for providing false information, is a $500 fine and/or three months in prison.