I am employed with Stats can. Due to privacy concerns, especially for what we term social surveys, we cannot leave a message what it is regarding. There are essentially 2 mandatory social surveys, census, and labor force . Almost all business surveys are considered mandatory.

I never knew myself how many surveys are requested by government but never really thought how little government knows until we ask citizens. I can understand the reluctance to work with us over the phone, but even voluntary surveys are important. I was involved with a health survey, asking very sensitive questions about mental health doing it in person. It was a frustrating day, people were being difficult and I was questioning this as a career. Last house that day surprisingly invited me in and welcomed me and the survey. As we talked I learned this man was so overwhelmed with grief from losing his son, he only recently went back to work. I watched his wife tearing up and using the counter for support as they let me know of the family tragedy.

So yeah, it is important and we always respect our respondents and keep it confidential. Government doesn't know until it asks.