Proposed directions for 2011
Online dissemination only
With the popularity, flexibility and ease of access offered by the Internet and with regard to our consultation feedback, very few print products were produced for the 2006 Census (see Table 2 Release dates of census and geography products and services). The 2006 Census data available online can be downloaded in CSV, a print-friendly format.
For the 2011 Census, the print and CD-ROM formats for all standard census and geography products will be discontinued.
User-defined views for Internet tables
Additional functionality that would permit users to personalize their views within existing topic-based tabulations is being examined for the 2011 Census. Users will also be able to select and manipulate, from predefined parameters, the standard variables for various geographic areas based on their research requirements. This self-serve user-defined approach would complement the broad array of online standard topic-based tabulations.
Merging census and geography products
Further integration of geography and census Internet products is planned for 2011. GeoSearch, an online reference and mapping tool, currently enables users to zoom into different areas in Canada and obtain population and dwelling counts, thematic maps and a number of additional data characteristics. For 2011, further enhancements to this tool could include access to more variables and an option to delineate user-defined geographic areas by combining existing standard geographic areas and obtaining data for these customized areas.
Discontinuation of GeoSuite
GeoSuite is a valuable reference tool that assists users to understand the hierarchical relationship between census levels of geography and obtain a wealth of information on the characteristics of places in Canada. To permit greater accessibility in 2011, Statistics Canada wants to incorporate GeoSuite data within existing Internet products, such as GeoSearch.
Discussion points
6. As a complement to the prearranged topic-based tabulations, do you have any ideas or suggestions about how to allow users to create their own tables online from predefined parameters (i.e., by selecting the variables to cross-tabulate, selecting the population and selecting the geography)? Please explain.
If a self-serve model was offered, would you agree to a reduction in the number of prearranged topic-based tabulations?
7. In 2011, print and CD-ROM formats for all standard census and geography products will be discontinued. What alternate ways to distribute web-based content would you suggest?
8. Do you have any ideas or suggestions about how census data could be further integrated into GeoSearch? Please explain. Please indicate if you feel these improvements are of a high or low priority. How would you further enhance GeoSearch?
9. If the data contained within GeoSuite were available in other products, such as GeoSearch, would you object to eliminating the GeoSuite product? Please explain.
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