Census: Have you received your census form yet?

Households across Canada began receiving their yellow census packages in the mail this week.

The 2011 short-form census consists of the same basic eight questions, including gender and date of birth, that appeared on the 2006 census short-form questionnaire, with the addition of two questions on language.

This is the first time the census won't have a mandatory long-form questionnaire.

The Harper government cut the mandatory long-form census last summer, and replaced it with a voluntary National Household Survey, which comes out approximately four weeks after the mandatory short-form census.

The Tories argued they were striking a balance between the need for reliable data and the right of Canadians to refuse to divulge personal information.

Hundreds of organizations and municipalities, and some provinces, decried the move and the head of Statistics Canada resigned over the federal government's decision to scrap the mandatory long-form census. The Liberal party introduced a private member's bill in September urging the government to restore the long-form census.

Delivery of the 2011 census packages has re-kindled the debate on the decision to scrap the long-form census.

On Twitter, @RustyPriske said he feels "A voluntary census will provide biased and meaningless information."

A CBCNews.ca commenter, v0ci3cau3a, echoes that feeling: "Without the mandatory long-form portion, it would be better used as compost."

Many planned to voice their opinions in their census comment section:

"When I fill out the census I'll comment that they should restore the long form census, even though I know it's futile." - @tararobertson

But not everyone is unhappy to see the long-form census scrapped:

"Thank god no long form census! I had to fill that thing out the last time. I don't think I've ever had that many and those kinds of questions ever asked of me by anyone anywhere." - Courtenay Bound

Community member Andrew Of Richmond also embraced the change: "Good riddance to the invasive long-form."

Census data is collected every five years. The results of the 2011 survey will be released next year.

Have you received your census package in the mail yet? If you receive the voluntary National Household Survey, will you complete it? What do you think of the decision to scrap the long form census? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.