Over the next few weeks, a number of farmers – some from this area – will be asked to take part in surveys conducted by Statistics Canada.  Based on past phone calls received in my office from constituents, I understand that these agricultural surveys can seem long and cumbersome, but they are also very important.

Results from agricultural surveys are used by Agriculture and Agri-food Canadaand other federal and provincial departments for economic research, to develop and administer agricultural policies, and for production and price analysis.  Information is also used by other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.

If you have been contacted for an agricultural survey, you were selected randomly. By law you are required to participate, as these surveys are mandatory under the Statistics Act.  Statistics Canada surveys are conducted in person, by telephone or electronically.  For many surveys, Statistics Canada will first send an introductory letter to let people know the purpose of the survey and to inform them that an interviewer will be contacting them.  To accommodate respondents' schedules, interviewers work seven days a week, including evenings and weekends.

This fall, Statistics Canada will be conducting the Livestock Survey, the Fruits and Vegetables Survey and the Farm Survey in November.

The purpose of the Livestock Survey is to collect information on cattle and calves, hogs, and sheep and lambs. The statistics produced enable those active in the agricultural sector to observe and assess changes in the industry, measure performance and keep the agricultural community and general public informed of development. Information may also be used by Statistics Canada for other statistical and research purposes.

The Fruits and Vegetables Survey collects data to provide estimates of the total cultivated area, harvested area, total production, marketed production and farm-gate value of selected fruit and vegetables grown in Canada.

The Field Crop Reporting Series is part of the Farm Survey and is a series of six data collection activities during the crop year. The purpose of this survey is to obtain information on the grains in storage, the seeded and harvested area, expected yield and production of field crops.  In order to share the responsibility of reporting, Statistics Canada asks operators to participate in no more than two of these surveys per year.

Statistics Canada conducts many surveys with households and businesses across the country to ensure that all Canadians have access to information to better understand our population, resources, economy and culture.  All surveys are conducted under the authority of the Statistics Act, which guarantees that all information provided by respondents remains confidential and is used only for statistical purposes.  Survey results are published in The Daily, Statistic Canada’s official release bulletin.

For more information on the surveys or to verify the validity of a survey, please email infostats@statcan.gc.ca or call Statistics Canada at 1-800-263-1136.

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The audio version of Garry's October 27, 2014 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here.