Articles by Tracey

I like data and think it should be shared at not cost! Especially public data!

Census Q & A – A data librarian asked

September 20, 2010 in canada, Census, federal government, government, policy, politics by Tracey | 1 comment

Question from a university data librarian to Statistics Canada:

I am wondering about the impact of cancelling the 2011 Census https://www.datalibre.ca/ on the downstream products that are populated with Census long form data:  E-STAT, Topic Based Tabulations, Community and CT and Cumulative Profiles.. etc.. and the data used for thematic mapping.

I am thinking of all the research programs and academic courses that have built these downstream products into their curriculums and programs. What should I be telling students and profs about the future of these products?

What is StatCan’s strategy to deal with the downstream products?

I note there is a Main page for the new National Household Survey athttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/survey-enquete/household-menages/5178-eng.htm.  Will the data collected from the National Household Survey simply be ported into these products? Will there be caveats added to each of these products informing users of the potential hazards of trying to compare 2006 and 2011 data?

After 10 days, the answer from Statistics Canada Communications:

This is the first time Statistics Canada will conduct the National Household Survey (NHS) and the Agency is currently working on many aspects of its development and implementation.

Information pertaining to custom, off-the-shelf, and downstream products that were previously populated with census long-form data has not yet been finalized.

Additional information will be added to Statistics Canada’s website (www.statcan.gc.ca)  by following the hyperlink for the National Household Survey as it becomes available.

Thank you for your interest in the 2011 Census and the new National Household Survey. If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

So ah! StatCan is saying they dunnoh?

And now for something completely different – E-Waste

September 12, 2010 in canada, infrastructure, policy by Tracey | Permalink

I have always had issues with labeling the Internet Age as green.  The power use of data & server farms, electronics waste, third world dismantling of toxic materials from e-waste, the massive materiality of the communication infrastructure, satellite waste in space, the conversion to flat screens, the want for a shiny new phone or ipod, old batteries and so on.  Just cuz there is a claim that we use less paper, by no means makes the Internet and computer age green.  Over the years I have written about electronic waste and in my housing coop we invariably get members dropping off all sorts of nefarious electronics that do not always get picked up by the neighbours let alone the fine waste removal folks. I am always struggling to find good educational material to share as often in an annoyed state I start sounding like a nag.  Until now!  Check out this City of Toronto add about collecting e-waste! Corny awesomeness! (via BoingBoing)

Articles:

INDU Minutes & Motion Aug. 27 – Census Study

September 11, 2010 in Census, government, policy, politics by Tracey | Permalink

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met in a televised videoconference session at 9:00 a.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Michael D.Chong, presiding.

Motion:

That the Government of Canada re-instate the mandatory long-form census; and that the government introduce legislative amendments to the Statistics Act to remove completely the provision of imprisonment from Section 31 of the Act and this would therefore apply to the Census of Population, the Long-Form Census and the Census of Agriculture, and that the Committee submit a report to the House.

I sent a note to the Committee requesting the transcripts for the full day of proceedings.

Big Census Media Round-up

September 11, 2010 in canada, Census, government, policy, politics by Tracey | 1 comment

I was busy with this thing called a job and was delayed in my census work.  But here you have it, a round up for the week.  I have not searched my #census yet, but will do so tomorrow.

Also, it ain’t too late to save the census!  They just need to put a sticky note on the envelope or insert a new cover page that says : this is a CENSUS and it is MANDATORY.

Working with Census Data – Ontario’s Social Landscape: Socio-demographic trends and conditions in communities

September 8, 2010 in canada, Census, Open Data by Tracey | Permalink

Many of the  Social Planning Network of Ontario’s (SPNO) members in collaboration with the Community Social Data Strategy purchase Census data as a consortium to produce reports of the like of this latest report, Ontario’s Social Landscape: Socio-demographic trends and conditions in communities across the province.  The report provides valuable information about Ontario and its evolving communities. Chalk-full of demographic and socio-economic data, the report is offered as a resource for program planning, needs assessments, advocacy initiatives, public policy development, research projects and more.

“Ontario’s Social Landscape paints a picture of our communities, telling us where we’re at and where we’re headed”, commented SPNO Board Chair Janet Gasparini. Key indicator data quantify social realities in Ontario communities – from the recession’s impact on the economy to the issues of affordable housing and electoral participation. This information is essential for planning services to meet the needs of changing communities, engaging and mobilizing residents and taking action to create the communities we want.

Ted Hildebrandt, Research team member
thildebrandt@cdhalton.ca

Janet Gasparini, President, Social Planning Network of Ontario
jgasparini@spcsudbury.ca

Download Full Report

Download Report Summary

Weekend Census Media Roundup

September 7, 2010 in campaigns, canada, Census, federal government, policy, politics by Tracey | Permalink

Data is the new soil – The beauty of data visualization

September 4, 2010 in dataviz by Tracey | Permalink

Data narration in action!

Canadian Health – Save the Census Videos

September 4, 2010 in Census, openmovement, policy, politics by Tracey | Permalink

Last week’s Save the Census Health Campaing yielded some great footage:

City of Winnipeg

APTN Voluntary long form census will hurt Canadians’ health

City of Toronto

Media Release – Health professionals warn of health impact of the loss of the mandatory long form census. Here are the YouTube videos of the Toronto Event on Sept. 2:

Save The Census Health Media Event – Introduction
http://bit.ly/97kghD

Save The Census Health Media Event – Dr David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto

Save The Census Health Media Event – Rob Milling, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)

Save The Census Health Media Event – John McLaughlin, Cancer Care Ontario

Save The Census Media Event – Anne-Marie Holt, Ontario Association of Public Health Epidemiologists

Save The Census Media Event – Cherie Miller, Regent Park Community Health Centre

Census Media Roundup

September 3, 2010 in Census, federal government, openmovement, policy, politics by Tracey | 2 comments

Health-care professionals protest cuts to long form census

September 2, 2010 in Census, federal government, government, openmovement, policy, politics by Tracey | 1 comment

MEDIA ADVISORY: Health-care professionals protest cuts to long form census

TORONTO – Sept. 1, 2010 – Medical and population health researchers and health-care professionals are convinced that the cancellation of the mandatory long form census will create a significant health risk for Canadians. That’s why they are participating in a series of media events in cities across the country on Thursday, September 2.

Initiated by the “Save the Census Campaign”, being spearheaded by social planning bodies across Canada, these events will feature Medical Officers of Health, physicians, nurses, medical researchers, representatives of Community Health Centres and other health-care professionals who are concerned about the health implications of this decision.

“Long form census data is used to make decisions about local health care and public health services, and as a foundation for population-based research into medical conditions and diseases. Loss of this data will make it more difficult to address the pressing health needs of Canadians,” said Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto.

Events are planned for Thursday, September 2nd in Toronto, Ottawa, Sudbury, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Confirmed participants include Medical Officers of Health, the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO), the Canadian and Ontario Epidemiological Societies, and front-line medical researchers.

EVENT LISTING

TORONTO

Tomorrow, Thursday September 2nd, 10:00 a.m.

Women’s College Hospital, Main Lobby, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto (please note there is NO on-site parking)

Organizer: John Campey, Social Planning Toronto (416) 351-0095 x 260

Speakers:

  • Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health, City of Toronto
  • Rob Milling, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)
  • John McLaughlin, Vice-President, Population Studies and Surveillance, Cancer Care Ontario
  • Anne-Marie Holt, President, Ontario Association of Public Health Epidemiologists
  • Cherie Miller, Director of Community Health, Regent Park Community Health Centre

OTTAWA

Thursday, September 2nd, 10:00 a.m. Carlington Community and Health Services, 930 Merivale Road, Ottawa ON

Organizer: Peggy Taillon, Canadian Council on Social Development (613) 236 8977 x 1

Speakers:

  • Dr. Isra G. Levy, Chief Medical Officer of Health, City of Ottawa
  • Michael Birmingham, Executive Director Carlington Community & Health Services and National Association of Community Health Centres
  • Nancy Watters, Registered Nursing Association Ontario, Eastern Ontario Representative

SUDBURY

Thursday, September 2nd, 10:00 a.m., City of Lakes Family Health Team Sudbury Site, 960 Notre Dame Avenue, Unit C. Sudbury

Organizer: Janet Gaspirini, Social Planning Council of Sudbury (705) 675-3894

Speakers:

  • Dr. Chris Bourdon, Chief of Staff, Sudbury Regional Hospital
  • Isabelle Michelle, Sudbury District Health Unit
  • Dr. David Marsh, Associate Dean, Community Engagement, Northern Ontario School of Medicine

WINNIPEG

Aboriginal Health and Wellness Center of Winnipeg, 181 Higgins Avenue (Time to be confirmed)

Organizer: Wayne Helgason, Winnipeg Social Planning Council (204) 943-2561

Speakers:

  • Darlene Hall, Executive Director, Aboriginal Health and Wellness Center of Winnipeg
  • Sandra Gessler, Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba

EDMONTON

Thursday, September 2nd, 1:00 PM, Friends of Medicare Office, 10512 122nd St, Edmonton

Organizer: David Eggen, Friends of Medicare (780) 423-4581

Speakers:

  • Dr. Colin Soskolne, President, Canadian Society for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
  • John Kolkman, Research Coordinator, Edmonton Social Planning Council

VANCOUVER

Organizer: Scott Graham, Social Planning and Research Council BC. (604) 718-8501

For more information, contact:

John Campey, Social Planning Toronto (416)351-0095 x 260 (cell) 647-283-9657

Peggy Taillon, Canadian Council on Social Development (613) 236-8977.

« Older entries § Newer entries »