Mr. Speaker, I can assure the House that Statistics Canada is actively working with small business to choose the best time of year to complete survey information. For example, in the tourism sector, an area of concern for the hon. member, the traveller accommodation survey has been changed to a mail-out in March instead of the end of April, as was recent practice, to avoid burdening business during the start of their busy season. The retail travel survey is always mailed out in January or February. Statistics Canada is firmly committed to reducing paper burden and has taken a number of specific initiatives. By using existing data collected by other departments, small businesses are receiving tens of thousands of fewer questionnaires.
Many surveys use a simpler, shorter questionnaire for small business.
Rather than survey all businesses, the smallest possible samples are used. These measures have enabled Statistics Canada to move in the last two years to reduce the burden it imposes on small business by over 15 per cent. As a further measure to assist small business, Statistics Canada has in the last month created the position of ombudsman responsible for response burden reduction. The ombudsman will review individual cases to assess how businesses can be helped most effectively. The government has been listening to the small business people from across Canada and their concern about the extent and number of requests for information they have been receiving.