The survey in 2006, asked students what they knew about climate change and resulted in more environmentally friendly course kits (see YFile, April 2, 2008); the assessed the value of urban forest on Keele campus; and the surveyed students about their food choices and needs.

This year's survey looks at volunteerism and engagement on campus. The theme arose following an open space event held during Earth Hour 2010, where community members expressed a desire to explore campus volunteerism and engagement as a means to improve campus sustainability. IRIS researchers felt that people would engage in initiatives that they care about, and by exploring the community’s values, interests and current involvement, a better sense could be achieved on how to structure and focus University initiatives.

91��ɫ students, staff, librarians and faculty will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on volunteerism and engagement via the IRIS survey. To participate, look for IRIS survey stations at the Keele and Glendon campuses, pick up the link from posters around campus, or visit the website. The survey closes Friday, Jan. 21.

Republished courtesy of YFile– 91��ɫ’s daily e-bulletin.

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Beginning with the 2011 census, held every five years, Industry Minister Tony Clement is doing away with the mandatory long form, which had been sent to one in five Canadians. The much shorter survey that goes to all Canadians will remain compulsory.

Instead of forcing 20 per cent of the population to fill out the long form under threat of jail time and fines, Clement said a third of Canadians will be sent the long form, which they can voluntarily complete.

But the change has prompted an outcry across the country from people who believe making the long form voluntary will result in less accurate information.

91��ɫ Professor Valerie Preston, director of CERIS, told Toronto Community News she is upset with the changes. “We have a 97 per cent compliance response to the (mandatory) long form and so it gives us a very complete picture of Canadians. A voluntary survey will not give us anything like that compliance rate. It won’t even approach it,” she said.

Communities such as recent immigrants and lower-income Canadians who move often will be less likely to fill out a voluntary survey, she added. And less reliable census information could mean the needs of the most vulnerable, such as newcomers to Canada, the elderly, the poor and single parents, will be ignored, she said.

“I’m very concerned,” she said. “Without that information, how are you going to transfer (government) funds where they are most needed?”

Preston argued reputable public polling firms, which rely on voluntary responses, can start out with a sample of 17,000 possible respondents but only end up getting answers from 1,000 people.

Republished courtesy of

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The study, funded by the Social Sciences & Humanities Research Council of Canada, provides researchers with a unique opportunity to learn about Korean immigrant families in Canada.

Participants must have arrived in Canada between January 2000 and December 2009, and have been married with at least one school-aged child (five to 18 years) at the time of arrival. Participants will be asked to complete a confidential survey, which will take about 60 to 90 minutes to complete, and will be provided with a small honorarium.

To join the study or for more information, contact Young-Ah Kim, TKFS research coordinator, at ext. 22678 or tkfs@yorku.ca.

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