[rearguard]

Well I just found out that I've been getting multiple calls from Stats Can. <br /> <br /> Here's what's been going on:<br /> <br /> I've become pretty good at hanging up on unsolicited calls from various telemarketers. Usually there's a 2 or 3 second delay after I say "Hello" before the autodialer machine kicks in to tell the telemarketer that they got a live one. I usually hang up as soon as I notice the delay.<br /> <br /> A few calls got through, with a person who could barely speak or understand english asking for me by name, or by asking if a member of the household was available. My usual response to a question like that is: "No, can I take a message?".<br /> <br /> I just got another call. This time I let it get through so that I could tell whoever it was to stop calling me, but this time while asking if I was home, he added "I'm calling from Statistics Canada."<br /> <br /> Not knowing what to say, I simply said "No, can I take a message?". The guy said in frustration that he'd been calling several times but could never get a hold of anyone. I again offered to take a message, but he just said he'd call back later and hung up.<br /> <br /> Interesting. <br /> <br /> Now what kind of fun can I have with this guy the next time he calls? Perhaps I should just keep on offering to take a message.<br /> <br />

[kouan]

Too funny.<br /> <br /> The silence has been deafening except for the stupid radio ads that keep on telling me to line up and be counted. <br /> <br /> I live in an apartment and I was thinking of moving anyway - so I wonder if I should send a change of address to big brother?<br /> <br /> K

[Dr Caleb]

[QUOTE BY= rearguard]<br /> Now what kind of fun can I have with this guy the next time he calls? Perhaps I should just keep on offering to take a message.<br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Now, see, there go my hackles up again. If they know your name and phone number, why do they need you to write it down on their form? If the census forms are not to be used in the future for some nefarious plan, how do they know which one you didn't return?<br /> <br /> <br /> How about answering "they all died in a firey car crash only an hour ago" (and sob to yourself softly).

[rearguard]

They sure seem to know my name and phone number, yes they do.<br /> <br /> To put things into perspective, I had another look at that blank census form buried deep in my "in box".<br /> <br /> Well, let's see ...<br /> <br /> If they know my name and phone number, then they can find out a heck of a lot about me from my income tax returns. Such as my SIN number, which gives them my date of birth and sex, and no doubt a lot of things about me that I don't even know myself.<br /> <br /> However, a lot could have changed since I had applied for that old SIN card (its remnants are disintegrating in a landfill somewhere), so it seems that they don't know if I was reborn and had my birth date changed, or perhaps I'm no longer a male or a female or if I'm now inbetween although if I was neither male nor female there's no check box for that, so I presume they don't care to know. <br /> <br /> They don't know what kind of sexual relationship I have with my wife, or if I have a wife, or if I'm legally married to my wife or not assuming I actually have one, and if I have a wife they don't know what the sex of my wife is (male or female or something else), in other words they don't know if I'm copulating with a vagina or an anus or a whatsit. If I have a wife, they want to know if we're still having fun together or if we're pissed off at each other and sleeping in separate beds.<br /> <br /> They also don't know what language I first learned to speak as a child that I can still understand, (I was first able to speak Klingon and proud of it), and they don't know if I want to make all of that incredibly critical updated information about myself and the people I live with (no matter if they agree or not) freely available 92 years from now.<br /> <br /> They could always look at one of those past census's to get at the same information I had already written down, but that won't allow them to track my movements and relationships with other people since the last census, but it could tell them if my profile is fluid or static or if I can't get my story straight and that I've been fibbing all along.<br /> <br /> There you have it. They don't know what kind of sex I'm having and who I'm having it with, or where I'm doing it, or if I'm doing it in English, French, or Klingon.<br /> <br /> Woah! This information is <i>so important</i> to the well being of Canada, that I can understand why they'll have to <strong>lock me up</strong> if I refuse to talk.<br /> <br /> Geezus, I just convinced myself to fill the silly thing out!!!!<br /> <br />

[Spud]

WHOAAA!<br /> I just thought of something here!What about copyright laws?What if I don't want this info released ever?Can I copyright this information?If not why not? <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/wink.gif' alt='Wink'> <br /> If it is personal why would it be released?Gotta agree with ya Dr.Caleb,they are using this form as a way to keep track of the people.I never filled in mine,they can go and fuck themselves. <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/mrgreen.gif' alt='Mr. Green'> <br />

[Dr Caleb]

[QUOTE BY= Spud] WHOAAA!<br /> I just thought of something here!What about copyright laws?What if I don't want this info released ever?Can I copyright this information?[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> No, but you are so close! You can't (C) public information, like the name of the street you live on, or your own name. But you can Trademark it, and it's easier to do!! <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/evil.gif' alt='Evil'>

[claytonrumley]

Greetings, all.<br /> <br /> I haven't heard anything more from the census people since the nice lady visited me back in July. However, my website (where I frequently complain about everything including the Census) attracted the attention of a fellow named Tom who actually complied with the census only to be told he had fill out a <b>second</b> census. He's given me permission to reprint the letter of complaint he's sent to Ivan Fellegi (with his name and the details of the Stas Canada employee censored)...so here is Tom's letter. Enjoy!<br /> <br /> <blockquote>Dr. Ivan P. Fellegi<br /> Chief Statistician of Canada<br /> <br /> I would like to bring to your attention, what I think is lack of security of completed 2006 Census forms.<br /> <br /> I was told by letter to complete a <b>second census form or be liable to a fine or imprisonment</b>. I was instructed to leave the completed form in my rural mailbox for a later pickup. There was only a clear statistics canada bag to put the form in. I spoke to XXXXXXX at 613-XXX-XXXX (a supervisor for census 2006 ), She did not see any problem leaving a completed census form in a my rural mailbox on Saturday night for a later pickup.<br /> <br /> I would like you to look into this matter and <b>correct this lack of Confidentiality and security</b>.I would like to know what actions you take under the Statistics Act to protect 2006 Census personal information, and what discipline was given to the person or persons responsible for this.<br /> <br /> Thank you<br /> <br /> Tom</blockquote><br /> <br /> He'll let me know if he receives any replies and I'll post them here and on my site.

[rearguard]

Clayton, I got a few good laughs out of your site, thanks for sharing - you've been bookmarked <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/smile.gif' alt='Smile'><br />

[feduppie]

I think the "second census" meme is one they are using to punish late-answering people. The bullshit "we are having trouble with our mail" line that my second caller recited sounded rehearsed. Wow you are having trouble with the MAIL? With Canada POST? Gee guys it was good enough in MAY!<br /> <br /> I should have photographed myself mailing it, but why play their game? I have complied. Don't threaten me with punishment and invasive prying to spite me. So I'm late, big deal. I sent the thing in, now go away.<br /> <br /> <br /> Could we PLEEZE start sending letters to the editors about this bait and switch, long-form, or tell us now, or we'll only pick it up now crap? Even anonymously if we are scared? It is truly disgusting to upset and harrass poeple like this... on our dime too.

[sthompson]

FYI, I have heard from someone in the MSM that this year was the lowest return for the census EVER. Here's hoping we get some solid coverage of that fact and the real reasons for it soon.<br /> <br /> At Vive we continue to receive new emails from people who are boycotting the census, many who didn't initially know that others were doing it too. All the people contacting us are boycotting for specific reasons and certainly not because they "forgot". Still no report to us anyway of anyone actually being charged although it seems like StatCan is delaying and running these ads as long as possible before starting to charge people, and understandably--they can't charge hundreds of thousands of people, obviously. (Expense, time consumed, outrage=bad publicity) That was the basis of this idea after all--StatsCan can't charge us all.<br /> <br /> What is amazing and inspiring to me is that many people are holding firm and refusing to complete anything, and are willing to face charges. Others have simply provided their names, the number of people in their household and whether they are in agriculture and refused to provide anything else. <br /> <br /> To all of you fighting the good fight, thank you, and hold firm--we're making a difference! The longer we all hold out the more likelihood we can break this issue into the national mainstream consciousness. <br /> <br /> <br />

[disfasia]

Do you know about how many people are refusing the census? And what is this brainwashing that many Canadians spurt the minute I tell them that I am boycotting the census: they say, 'oh but it helps build hospitals and schools'. But we know there are far better ways at getting at such information (ie. seeing enrollment in schools, demand in hospitals, and in general, letters requesting that x service be enacted!) I am a returning Canadian citizen after leaving at the age of ten. I left the USA to resist that country's violent wars and colonialisations of all proportions. So ironically, here I return from months abroad to find this menacing letter in my mailbox threatening me with prison or a fine. I did send the agency an email asking that they arrest me soon if they wish to continue such theatre as I am now pregnant. But I am in shock regarding such a manipulation of the people and the violence implicit in such actions I an others here are victims of.<br /> <br /> Frankly, I am surprised that Canadians have not revolted against such a waste of tax money and time! Is there any politician vituperating this ridiculous law? If so, who? <br /> <br /> I feel like I am in the USA for merely the lack of civil liberties. But actually, the census is not legally demanded in the USA, so maybe we do have something to learn from that country.<br />

[sthompson]

In Alberta I know the push is to get transfer payments, since the census affects that, and a local census worker has been getting people to fill out their forms by telling them that their money will go to Quebec otherwise. Sigh.<br /> <br /> I always say that yes this information is important and yes it affects a lot of funding etc. I wouldn't care who was getting it if it wasn't important--the very fact that it's important is the reason I protest Lockheed's involvement and the way this info is being gathered. I'm not in the market for a missile so I can't boycott Lockheed--the most direct thing I can do is register my protest with StatsCan.<br /> <br /> FYI, note that police in Lloydminster are warning people against giving out any census info over the phone since it may be a bogus call:<br /> <br /> <blockquote><br /> Police alerted of phony census calls<br /> <br /> Local police are reminding residents to be cautious of information they give out over the phone following a report of a suspicious census call.<br /> <br /> John B. Spigott<br><br /> Monday August 14, 2006<br><br /> Lloydminster Meridian Booster — Local police are reminding residents to be cautious of information they give out over the phone following a report of a suspicious census call.<br /> <br /> A Lloydminster resident recently notified the RCMP after fielding a call from somebody who said they were looking for census information. The resident was uncomfortable giving personal information over the phone and declined to divulge anything to the caller.<br /> <br /> “Anytime people receive phone solicitation they have to be cautious on any personal information they are giving out,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Yanota of the Lloydminster RCMP. “I am unaware of Census Canada ever soliciting personal information over the phone. Any legitimate business is well aware that getting information over the phone isn’t the way to go about doing things.”<br /> </blockquote><br /> <br /> From <a href="http://www.meridianbooster.com/story.php?id=247850">www.meridianbooster.com</a>

[Milton]

disfasia, I heard that the next census in the US is going to be manditory and that there will be a swarm of underpaid census workers trudging across the tundra, mile after mile, in search of people to interrogate.

[rearguard]

[QUOTE BY= sthompson] the very fact that it's important is the reason I protest Lockheed's involvement and the way this info is being gathered. I'm not in the market for a missile so I can't boycott Lockheed--the most direct thing I can do is register my protest with StatsCan.<br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> In my view the reason for protesting goes much deeper than LM's involvement. The only reason why LM's involvement is an issue to begin with, is due to the fact that Stats Can can resort to coercion in order to get people to "cooperate". If the census were not mandatory, then Stats Can would never have hired LM in the first place, or if Stats Can was too stupid to see that LM was a liability, then they'd learn about it really fast.<br /> <br /> I've been giving Stats Can a hard time and encouraging people to protest ever since I was threatened by a census worker for refusing to answer some of the questions that I thought were too personal and of no concern to the government. Even if Stats Can drops LM, I'll continue to protest and encourage others to do the same.<br /> <br /> To be fair, the issue I'm speaking about goes far deeper than Stats Can, but it's at least a good start to bring up awareness of how we are always being coerced to "comply" against our will through threats of violence by our own government - often for no good reason what-so-ever.<br /> <br /> Here I am, minding my own business harming no one at all, and simply because I wish to remain silent, I could get sent to prison and have a criminal record assigned to my name - and that's simply wrong!<br /> <br /> The transfer payment excuse is BS, since there are many other nonintrusive ways to get at that information, and it does NOT have to be 100% correct either. <br /> <br /> <br /> Forget about LM, that should NOT be the issue at hand.<br />

[Action-Jackson]

[QUOTE BY= Milton] disfasia, I heard that the next census in the US is going to be manditory and that there will be a swarm of underpaid census workers trudging across the tundra, mile after mile, in search of people to interrogate.[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> If you were a census worker in the US under those conditions, I hope you get danger pay and a bullet proof vest.