StatsCan recuiting over 100 Nunavummiut

In response to a latter published in the Feb. 17 issue of Nunatsiaq News on Statistics Canada use of interpreters in Nunavut, I would like to clarify the procedures currently in place to ensure that all selected survey respondents in Nunavut are included in Statistics Canada surveys.

The agency is well aware of the large number of unilingual Inuktitut speakers in Nunavut, and recognizes that the use of an interpreter or a local interviewer might be necessary to conduct interviews where Inuktitut is the only language spoken in the household. When an interpreter is hired by Statistics Canada, this person is required to take the oath of secrecy under the Statistics Act before performing this role, as confidentiality is a cornerstone of Statistics Canada’s activities.

Statistics Canada has only recently extended some of its ongoing surveys to Nunavut and the other territories. As a result, its practices will be evolving to better reflect the situation of the North, as witnessed by the Aboriginal Children Survey to be conducted in the fall of 2006, where adaptations were made to specifically meet the needs of the aboriginal population.

Statistics Canada is working closely with the government of Nunavut on the upcoming 2006 Census and will be recruiting well over 100 residents of Nunavut to carry out the Census. In addition, to facilitate the enumeration process, the Census questions will be translated into Inuktitut and several other aboriginal languages.

Statistics Canada is committed to ensuring that all Nunavut respondents are included in its surveys.

Rosemary Bender
Director General
Demography and Social Statistics Branch
Statistics Canada