StatsCan's future is at risk: former chief

The former head of Statistics Canada says the government's decision to get rid of the mandatory long-form census could jeopardize the agency. CTV has the latest on the fiasco, which the Governor of Bank of Canada has also spoken out about.

CTV News Channel: Ralph Goodale, Liberal MP

The Liberal House leader says that most people recognize that filling out the census is a fundamental part of running a sophisticated society by making the government base its decisions on facts, rather than ideology.

CTV Ottawa: Coun. Peter Hume on how the census is used in Ottawa

Ottawa's mayor says without a mandatory long-form census, the city will need to find new ways to gather information it needs for city planning.

CTV News Channel: Craig Oliver explains

CTV Chief Political Correspondent Craig Oliver discusses Jean Chretien's lukewarm endorsement of Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, as well as the Conservative response to the long-form census controversy.

CTV News Channel: Charlie Angus, NDP

An Ontario NDP calls Industry Minister Tony Clement's reasons for making the census voluntary 'bumbling excuses.' He adds the impression that is being given of Canadians hauled to prison if they refuse to take the census is an 'unsavory action from a federal government.'

CTV News Channel: Ivan Fellegi, statistician

The former chief statistician for StatsCan explains why the long census form is so important in the process of evaluating and ensuring that tax-payer money is allocated properly.

CTV News Channel: Ralph Goodale takes questions

The Liberal house leader responds to media questions ranging from whether or not people reportedly lie on the long form census, alternative ways to collect the data, and laws surrounding the data collection.

CTV Montreal: Debate about Canadian census escalates

Todd van der Heyden speaks with David Birnbaum about how changes to the Canadian census could harm Quebec's minority groups.

CTV Montreal: Caroline van Vlaardingen reports

A growing list of groups is opposing the Harper government's move to make the long-form census voluntary. As Caroline van Vlaardingen reports, the Quebec English School Board Association is in that group.

CTV News Channel: Tony Clement speaks

The industry minister says the government wants to ensure data is still available, but they are taking into consideration those people in Canada who feel the Census is an unwarranted intrusion into their private lives, and the threat of jail time is inappropriate.

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Ivan Fellegi, former StatsCan chief statistician, speaks with CTV News in Ottawa on Friday, July 22, 2010.

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Thu. Jul. 22 2010 9:11 PM ET

The former head of Statistics Canada says the agency is in jeopardy due to the government's decision to scrap the mandatory long-form census.

Ivan Fellegi, former StatsCan chief statistician, said the escalating political debate over the census has compromised the agency's independence, on which its performance and reputation are built.

That, in turn, could have far-reaching consequences for Canada, he told CTV News Channel on Thursday evening.

"(The long-form census) is important for the operation of the country because it is used so widely" to allocate funds and plan services, he said.

Fellegi was among a growing number of experts and insiders sounding the alarm Thursday following the shocking resignation of StatsCan boss Munir Sheikh over the census dispute.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff called the resignation "honourable" because Sheikh suffered unacceptable political interference.

The Liberals are asking that the government release all records of advice given to them by StatsCan on scrapping the mandatory long-form sentence.

"Munir Sheikh was forced to resign on a matter of principle," Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale said. "The government has triggered complete chaos in Canada's esteemed data-gathering agency which, pre-Harper, had been the envy of the world for its accuracy and integrity."

Other critics include the Bank of Canada, which may need to find alternate sources of information, according to Mark Carney, the bank's governor.

Though the bank does not use raw data from the census, the switch could influence unemployment, household income and productivity statistics issued by StatsCan, he said.

New Democratic Party MP Charlie Angus said the Conservative government is waging an "ideological attack" on data, and becoming a "laughingstock" in the process.

"We need to get this issue dealt with," the Timmins James Bay MP told CTV News Channel on Thursday afternoon.

"I really think at this point Stephen Harper has to send a message that they're listening, that they're willing to listen and they're willing to fix this debacle that they've created."

Industry Minister Tony Clement has said that he received advice on how to implement a volunteer survey, but insiders at StatsCan said the agency officials did not recommend such a move.

The Liberals are asking for Sheikh and Clement to appear at a parliamentary committee next week. They are also asking that the Statistics Act be changed to entrench the mandatory long-form census.

The Conservative government quietly announced that they would do away with the long-form census in June, opting to spend $30 million more on a voluntary survey that will be sent to more homes.

The Tories say the mandatory long form census is "intrusive and coercive" and have said Canadians support them on the matter.

However, statisticians say a voluntary survey will produce unreliable data and the move has been widely criticized by provincial governments, many non-governmental organizations and business groups, among others.

Comments are now closed for this story

Crystal
said

There are no privacy issues. The personal information that is collected by the census isn't released to the public for 100 years. 100 YEARS! Most people are dead by then. Let us help the future generations of this country learn about us by filling out the census forms. We give out private information everyday on Facebook and other social pages. That gets seen instantly. The information given on those websites can be a lot more sensitive in nature than what is collected by Stats Can.

Michael
said

First of all government agencies have proven to be totally incompetent even with all the information in the world, so nothing would change.

Secondly, the form remains it is simply no longer mandatory.

If everyone feels the long form is so critical in order to avoid a certain apocalypse they will gladly voluntarily complete it won't they?

Uh oh there goes your great argument people.

Kim
said

Canada will be foolish to change the long form to voluntary when all other developed countries recognize the need for a mandatory citizen data collection for planning, funding etc. For example, In the US they call it the American Community Survey and goes to 1 in 6 households. It also is mandatory, and asks about 50 additional questions. Google mandatory US long form questions.

mick mackinnon
said

The less personal info the gov't knows about it's citizens, the better! Further, Mr Sheikh was employed to carry out the directives of gov't, not make them. I also worked for the federal gov't and carried out the orders given me. Some, I agreed with and some I didn't agree with, but I wasn't paid to agree or disagree, but simply to do my job. However, give Mr. Sheikh his ball and let him go home and sulk, no doubt with a big fat pension!

Linda in Vancouver
said

LOL!!! I nearly peed my pants when I read some one say he/she is leaving Canada over this petty little issue.Trust me,if yu really are the liberal you say you are,you will be back.Unfortunate for the rest of us,but you will be back. Listening to Ralph Goodale and his band of minions whining about this is the best sit com I've seen all year.With the panic and knee jerk reactions emmanating from the political left,one would assume that the sky was falling.They are making an issue of this for one reason,and one reason only.To finally hope they have an issue they can use a a lever to get them and their left wing screww balls back into power. In reality,if statistics are gathered,but no one tusts them,they are even more useless than no staitistics at all.Special interest groups are the red meat that fuels the political left.Virtually of of them use statistis to lobby for more money for their won special interests.For them,if they want numbers,let them collect,and pay for them.They can get that information from people willing to share it without the threat if incarceration or or heft fines. I've done the long form,and I don't like any government sticking it's nose so intrusively into my personal business.I do not trust Stats Canada any more than I trust our politicians. Mr.Goodale refers to this decision as a "dumbing down of government".Really? My question would be "how much dumber can it get with the collection of liars,thieves,and spin doctors who now run Parliament".That includes ALL parties.As far as I am concerned,they can have more information,but only AFTER the all grow up,and only AFTER they ask me to provide it voluntarily. This is an idea that can be tried without causing the sky to fall.

Joel
said

Hmm, every time I read discussions critical of Harper, it usually has some sort of thermocline that suddenly bursts into support for him or attacks against the liberals. Kind of makes me wonder if there is not an office somewhere full of people who just cruise news articles and comments on his behalf. Helena was caught having a younger staffer send in letters to a paper, so why would it be limited to her?

As for the topic, I truly feel bad for those needing to do the census and for the abuse they get... but it is needed. Any idiot that won't tell the government who they are and what they need is an idiot destined to have a government that never represents them. The governments, at all levels, need to know what type of person you are, your needs an your wants, otherwise they can't represent you.

How about taking that 30 million that harper wants to use on a voluntary census and instead give compensations to those who fill out the mandatory one.

This comes form another forum "Census seems complicated for a grade 12 education, person does not fill it out. Canada just got smarter. Someone refuses to fill out the census because they are anti government... government approval just went up."

You don't help yourself by lying or by not taking the census. In fact, you just lost your chance to be heard by millions of people.

Tim from Calgary
said

Do unelected bureaucrats run the country or do elected polticians? I keep on forgetting. I support the government on this matter of privacy.

Les from Alberta
said

Get a life Iggy and stop putting the snake oil salesman (Goodale) as your spokesperson or you will never get any votes.

Rob Baron
said

The Conservative Party, and Dictator Stephen Harper, Strike Again!!!!What makes me really sad about all this? The fact that this type of behavior from Harper and the Conservatives is nothing new! Stephen Harper, throughout most of his reign as PM has done whatever he wants, whenever he wants, regardless of law or what Canadians think. And yet.. he will likely be voted in again at the next Federal Election, because too many Canadians are oblivious.

sinbo
said

Good demand by the liberals, assuming that when in power, they never made a decision when swivel servants provided 'contrary' advice.

Richard in Ontario
said

I'd be willing to bet that if the Conservatives said the long form is a good thing and needed, the Lefty Libs on here would say that it must be some kind of plot to find out what religion people are. Let's face it folks, no matter what the present government does on any subject, Ralph Goodale and his cohorts would want an enquiry or set up another committee. Also if we all moved out of the country when we disagreed with the government, first of all Ontario would be empty or left with Lib supporters and whomever was left wouldn't have anything to complain about.

Albertaboy111
said

Ron, That is genius. How is it non-political people on a forum can come up with a good solution, but our politicians are so out to lunch?

Gregoryd
said

Who cares....This is a non issue and for once the cons are taking the side of canadians in regard to privacy. If it so important just put cameras in everyones house. Then some air freshener company can get statistics on how many times people fart so they can determine how strong to make their product..... Gimme a break lets move on.

Albertaboy111
said

No that won't work at all. That would be making a decision based on evidence, facts, and a thorough process of assessment. That is the very ideal the Conservatives are trying to kill. That way when they decide to cut funding to anything they can say "well those statistics are drawn from inaccurate data, so we cannot use the information for our decisions." Then they can base every decision they make on ideology, and have that much less data and fact to disagree with them. Poverty on native reserves? Not according to our data, your data is flawed, let's just cut that program. Mark my words.

jon doe
said

Please cite a single instance where a persons answers to the census has been made available to the public at large?

If your responses cannot be tied to you (for 92 years, and it would be possible to make that forever instead of 92) then where is the invasion of privacy?

MCM
said

It might be wise to reserve judgment unless you have *ACTUALLY* seen the full census long form questions. I'm a law abiding citizen who had to fill it out and it was beyond intrusive. I felt intimidated when told not filling it out would result in fines or jail. People who didn't want to fill it out didn't complain to the government *because* we were told we had NO choice in the matter - it had to be filled out. If the COMPLETE set of questions asked in the previous census were posted somewhere I think a lot of people would better understand why those of us who were FORCED to fill it out are so against it.

LDL in ONT
said

"Liberal" wrote: "That's it I'm moving out of Canada..........." Do you need a lift to the airport?

Terry
said

give it up Ralphie, it's a non-issue!The latest Ipsos-Reid poll says that 51% think changing to optional is a bad idea while 49% think it's a good idea.

Dr. M
said

Yesterday I went to the supermarket, scanned my card, and bought some groceries. When I go in today, I will scan my card at the front, and the computer will print out coupons based on my previous buying habits. Is this an intrusion, or a valuable use of information to serve me better? Like others, I don't like the fact that filling out the long form is mandatory. But unless it is, the results aren''t valid. The real isue here is the extent to which we want to provide information of a private nature to anyone- government or corporation- for our own benefit. We can argue all we like about whether the questions are "intrusive", or whether some other agencies could gather the same info. But take the case where the information is useful for providing needed public services, and where this is the most cost-efficient way of doing it. Would those arguing against it still have a case? Suppose this inquiry finds out that every question asked is for a good reason, and that this is a valuable tool for government- do you still disagree? The real conflict here is between those who just don't believe in government, and want fewer taxes and fewer services, and those who see government as the most efficient way to deliver valuable services to everyone. If you want an example of where government doesn't "interfere" in your life, look at Somalia, which is in a total state of anarchy. No taxes- and no police. No government interference- and no fire department. No "intrusion"- and no health care. Those of you who confuse the census with "dictatorship" and "big government" need to do some serious, adult level thinking here. Which government services are you prepared to do without to save yourselves aa few tax dollars?

Paul
said

Let's see. We need to save money. So Mr. Harper decides to save money by scrapping something that everyone hates, and suddenly everyone loves it. The census was a boondoggle to begin with. Many don't actually fill it out, and of those who do, most lie like a rug. It is a waste of time and money. Harper is saving taxpayers a small fortune here and the Libs, as usual, are against it.

HTC
said

Re: "liberal
That's it, I'm moving out of Canada over this! The Harper Agenda has gone over the line on this one. I want to live in a country where the gov't, by law, can get all the information it needs from the public, so that it can run the economy more efficiently, and identify those who have dangerous lifestyles."

That's going to be hard - the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany don't exist anymore.

HTC
said

What's stopping someone from filling out the census with nonsense answers that the government has no way (and no right) of verifying?

If I put Jedi Knight as my religion on the census, what are they going to do, prosecute me for it?

Micheal
said

Hi,

StatsCan lost its credibility when it started asking leading, politically motivated questions in its surveys back in the 90s because of Liberal meddling.

Today, 50% of Canadians voluntarily give up personal information on Facebook.

Compared to Facebook and other social networks, StatsCan is a joke.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the agency scrapped and replaced within the next five years.

$30 Million More
said

$30 millions more for a voluntary survey! Well I know what voluntary means, I will never fill it out. So there $30 millions down the drain. WOW!

Charles
said

I am a Libertarian with Philisophical Anarchist tendencies (look it up). So I am against government intrusion and interference in people's lives. However I am also a Realist and know that government will not go away and will continue to intrude and interfere. I am also a Pragmatist (how can I be so many things!) and I think as long as the government continues to intrude and interfere, then they should at least be doing so with accurate information. Long live the mandatory census!

Richard in Ontario
said

Oh darn. I see another committee being struck. I still want to know, how much our MP's salaries are topped up when they serve on all of these witchhunts. My advice would be for them to go back to their constituency offices and listen to what the people who elected them need. Of course for Ralph Goodale, that would be hard to do, since he doesn't listen to anything else.

Alexandria
said

Could the Government not get all information from income tax files? All they have to do is add a line What is your mother tongue and where were you born and are you a Canadian citizen.The Liberals should spend more time helping pass good legislation and less time holding press conferences trying to over throw the ELECTED GOVERNMENT.

Jim - North Saanich, BC
said

Her Majesty's "Loyal Opposition" will do anything to find a "cause" over which they can scream and pound their fists in rage hoping the electorate will listen. I clearly recall that many Canadians were complaining bitterly at the time of the last census that the information required was an outright invasion of privacy and evidence of ever growing government intrusion in to private lives. Are the Liberals, of all people, telling us we should have more intrusion in to and disclosure about our personal lives? If so, that is a paradox if there ever was one!As for myself, the less any government knows about my comings and goings, the better and frankly most of the information required in the past was absolutely nobody's business but my own.

Dan from Toronto
said

Leave it to Conservatives to come up with a more costly and less effective solution to Canada's Statistical needs.

Sheek of I ran
said

Sheik believes he is a martyr, fact is he is paid to obey the rules set by Canada''s elected officials. His ego got in the way of realizing that, so he ran like a crybaby sheik.

Jim
said

Wasting 30 million on a short form voluntary census is exactly that a waste of money, the only statistic that would come of it would be the number of people that like to fill out census. Canada is a wonderful place to live, it was made that way by liberal governments. Every time we have tried a conservative government our country falls into huge financial problems. The last conservative government almost bankrupt our country. No other government has done as much damage to Canada as Harper has,

Nolan Moore
said

I dont understand what the big fuss is from either side?

Chris, Irishtown Nl
said

I've ranted on how the form should be manditory, and how this is a ridiculous change but I think I'm starting to have a change of heart. Anyone with half a abrain can see its the right wing, red neck nut jobs who would not fill out the survey so PERFECT - I'm tired of their ultra religious, 1960's values warping good decision making and so by making the survey optional, we won't have to deal with it!!!

charlie
said

Another day in playland; another phony crisis; another call for an investigation; another phony crisis to be spun for whatever the Opposition can get out of it - ho hum. BTW, can anyone tell me why we had to have one in five fill out the long census form in Canada while the 50 additional question long form in the USA (since replaced by a new approach) was filled out by one in two thousand (2,000)?

lynnees
said

Enough of the Fiberals already with their "demands". I am sick to death of their "demands": The long form census is intrusive and does not serve john and jane Q public.

Johnqtaxpayer
said

Who cares about statistics, only the socialists and communists, that's who. PM Harper is the greatest Canadian ever. He knows whats best for us, so stop whining and get with the program.

mark in the East
said

Public servants serve at the pleasure of the elected government, not the other way around. If the head of stats canada can't follow that rule, then he *should* resign. As for the Liberals, great idea - your next election platform can have the slogan that sums up what your party stands for perfectly - "Liberals - vote for us and we'll force you to fill out mandatory 40-page documents!"

Lance Witherspoon
said

The Ministry of Truth is sad that this respected contributor is leaving. However never let us not forget our divine goal, the pursuit of the one truth and it's message to citizens, spreading like the brilliant rays of the sun. For further uplifting news, please contact the PMO's spokespersons for the latest truths of the day from our glorious leader...

Kyle
said

and the liberals know whats best for canada... and how long has Iggi been living outside of canada?

CMQ in NB
said

It is easy to say the Liberals are trying to drum something up here but with all the groups speaking out I think the Cons need to listen. To lose political ground over something on this level to me is pretty sad. I find with certain issues like prorogation this past winter the Cons act like the Liberals used to when they felt entitled. I think some more time needs to be taken to reconsider this move so that we don't end up in an unnecessary election once again.Really tired of issues like this becoming so massive all because politicians aren't willing to listen or work together.

craig in calgary
said

I don't understand the complaint. If, as Statscan and all of you say, the mandatory form was easy and no one had problems filling it out......then you should logically get 100% compliance on the voluntary form. So there would be no problem The partisans are just trying to hit the Prime Minister with another low blow. Unless of course the government is right and people do have a problem disclosing this info.

Bulldog
said

It never ceases to amaze me how the Liberals will sensationalize anything to create a buzz...Can one imagine what they would do over an issue of substance?

Al - Ottawa
said

Excuse me, but what I do in the privacy of my own home is not of the Government's business. I don't give a rat's ass that this so-called great statistician quit. Good ridance. Are you telling me that there is no once else that can do his job at StatsCan? If not, it sounds like there should be some firings. Oh wait, they're probably unionized, so there goes that idea!

Dan
said

Those who are up in arms over this have a vested interested in keeping it. aka researchers who are getting stats for free, while at the same time collecting nice government grants to conduct their research. However think of it this way. If this type implement it because after all, it would serve a very useful purpose right, do you think these same critics of census did not yet exist, and the "Cons" tried to would welcome this with open arms? I think not! The posters here who are against cancelling this are simply railing against the Tories, no matter what the issue. Most people complain about government intrusion in their lives, and things like cameras on street corners, yet when the Conservatives try to remove this intrusion, they are criticized. So do you really think Canadians, when threatened with fines if they don't complete the survey, are really truthful when they complete the survey? I'm sure that they aren't always truthful. Ask most people if they are completely truthful when completing an anonymous survey, let alone one where they are threatened with prosecution, and you will likely be surprised to hear that they aren't. People are starting to sound really petty with all these complaints.

Darrell
said

This country has been run down for so many years from the Liberals, and the Easterners still can't figure it out, this country was founded on strong Christian believes and made for strong family up bringing, then Trudeau came and wrecked this country for years. And all of our foundation of those believes are ruined, now our family life is deminishing and we never look at the problem only the symtoms. Liberals quit trying to whesel your way back in! the liberal party is brutal after raping and stealing from Canadians for years, what a simple sorry is enough? I guess for an easterner that is? Wow

Kaptin
said

Nothing at all worng with filling out a census form at all as the Government does have to know who you are. They aren't bright enough to figure that out form your driver's license, OHIP or other health care, or your income tax.

The long form though is not necessary at all. SOmm they will want to know what size your underwear is and what kind of toilet paper you buy.

Scrap the long form and if they have to be spoon fed, keep the short version.

I was lucky and that's the one they sent me but I know many who got stuck with the long one and it was a nightmare I was told. And guess what, jail time if ya didn't fill it out on time. That's more crap as well.

Paul
said

This should not be a big deal! What is wrong with you people? Can't think for yourselves? The less government knows about me and the less money they take from me equals better living for me. This is like watching a bunch of pre-schoolers running around without their teacher. One good thing the Liberals did do a good job at was turning a good many people into milkers of the nanny state.Some people just can't seem to get life without someone telling them what to do....

Jeremy
said

People, this is not a partisan issue. This census allows for the tracking of needs for social and economic development. I also fear that without the census, this will allow Stephen Harper and caucus to cherry pick where federal funding goes. To my fellow Canadians, Enough is Enough. Stand up and be heard. I personally welcome an election with this as a defining issue.

Frank
said

Obviously none of these Liberals has ever been a census taker. Try going door to door with these forms and get some of the tongue lashing that these people are exposed to. Much of the information requested is already gathered on CRA forms, and other Service Canada Forms that we complete year to year. The Libs are making this another useless witch hunt. If these whining companies, charities, etc. that want this infomation let them pay for it through Ipso-Reid, Gallup and other fact finding organizations. The reason for a census is a "head count", nothing else.

james T
said

The census and the information it provides is a valuable tool for governance. On the other hand, information is a hinderance to a dictatorship. That really should be all anyone needs to know in figuring out why the attempt to eliminate the mandatory long form is being made. Really people - if governmental agencies, scientists, and the general public are banding together to say that the mandatory long form is essential and important, then may it is, as you rarely see those three groups working together for the common good.

Bob
said

Once again proving how ineffective the liberal party has become. They have no initiative for their own "policies" and no true leadership.The only thing they are good at is attemting to manipulate the media for attention.

gail
said

I want to congratulate Mr. Sheikh for standing up to the government. Statistics Canada should never be influenced by government whims. In order to maintain its status in the world, it must be independent of political whims. It must not become another American department.
I can't believe the naive comments people are making about Mr.Sheikh to listen to his "boss". He IS the boss and partners with the government for funding. Obviously they are not educated enough to understand the economics of our country.

Acroyear
said

The question is not IF an accurate census is needed, of COURSE it is. My beef has been, and still is, that there are questions on the long form that have no bearing on making public policy, they are for special interest groups and business to gather marketing data at the point of a gun. If the short form really doesn't have enough questions to gather enough data to make GOVERNMENT policy decisions, then add them the short form and make us all fill them out if they really are that critical to the operations of local, municipal and federal bodies. But that data should not be, and NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE, available to any non-government bodies. If that means Starbucks can't figure out if they can squeeze 5 more outlets into Halifax, well too bad...go pay for a polling firm on whom I can tell to go to blazes. I have never said that Stats Can doesn't do great things my beef is that they abused their power to become an incredibly powerful market research body. I have no problem doing my civic duty to help make our land a better place, but so long as Stats Can keeps handing out this data (I don't care how well my name itself is protected, not the issue with me) to anyone other than government bodies, Stats Can will find they have a citizen named Don Duck, married to Daisy, who are raising their orphaned nephews, Hewy, Dewy, and Louis in a 1 bedroom shack, our first language is Gibberish, and we immigrated from Mars.

Mead
said

Good government involves invisibility, transparency. Not forcing citizens to report personal data. Good riddance to StatsCan. How reliable is their data when they force people to give up the goods? They should pay people for their time and forget the communist way.

Carl
said

As someone who worked doing the census twice, all I can say is maybe part of the decision to make the long form voluntary (they are not taking it away at all, contrary to some of the more bone-headed comments I have seen), was to help the census takers. Anyone who has been a census taker in the past can tell you the kind of abuse we would take from people, who absolutely refused to fill out the long form census. Or if they did, one could assume what they said were all lies, on purpose. The whole idea of a census is to get quality info, that won't happen when someone has a gun pointed at them. By making it voluntary, there will be plenty enough info for decision making, and the quality will be far better.

Intelligent Liberal
said

I have filled out a long form of the census, at first I didn't want to because it asked about my plumbing fixtures and if there are any creaky boards in my house, plus a listing of all religious books in my library. But after multiple phone calls insisting I complete for in it s entirety, but when the Stats Can person rang my door bell and threatened that I will go to jail, I finally saw the VALUE of the long form.Goodale is correct, the Conservatives need to IMMEDIATELY give Iggy all information from the long forms that has been collected over the years. It will help on the summer tour to understand what Canadians need.

David in Toronto
said

When will these Liberals and these sheep we call the Canadian public finally realize that the long form census should be scrapped since the government has no business knowing any of that information. Why is everybody so keen on surrendering all their information to big brother? I feel like I'm in 1984

Peter in MB
said

If the form is voluntary the people who want to participate can fill it out, I however will choose not to. Why can�t you liberals respect my rights and freedoms of chose? You Call Steven Harper A dictator because he want to give you the right to choose!!! I strongly suggest that you look up the definition of a Dictator because you have it ( Bass Ackwards!!!) Since when does a dictator ever give the people of a country the FREEDOM to choose???

Mike
said

Go Harper Go!!! Thank you Mr. Prime Minister for removing the coercive laws that extract personal information from Canadian citizens and for placing Canada as a world leader exiting this great recession stronger than any other country in the world.

Matt
said

Oh look the Liberals are "Demanding" yet again trying to look Politically competent. It is kind of cute isn't it? I have never seen such anger over something becoming optional in a free democratic society. What really entertains me is these Anti Harper individuals who constantly bash just about everything proposed by the Federal government. Look at the policy behind the changes and please continue to support Iggy, trust me it's helping!

R Henry
said

Yes, Harper is dumbing down Canada. It is now becoming clear what the intelligence level of his supporters is. The best way for the Conservatives to get a majority is to dump Harper.

ykaufman
said

It's an outrage that anyone should think that a persons private business should be available to the public. What nationality, colour, sex or religion anyone is should not enter into any discussion in a country that prides itself as being a democracy. All should be equal, and treated as such. You don't need a long winded census to determine how many people live in this country and where they are living, and that is the ONLY information the government really needs to know.

Portes
said

David OttawaI want government out of my life, not in it.The more they know the more we will get taxed and taxed. Next thing they will be telling us they want a census of every time we go to the bathroom. The people who are using the census for their own purposes, let them spend their own money not mine. The City where I live use it to put up my land tax rates. Use the Canada Revenue form all you have to do is to tick it, in other words these people are making work that is not necessary. I SAY LESS GOVERN MENT IN OUR LIVESMr. Goodale was on last night about the new aircraft for the Air Force and as usual made an ass of himself. His facts were all wrong,seeing that they the Liberals signed a Memorandum of understanding, google it and you will see that it is a morale contract, they also paid 135 million to R & D on this aircraft. So someone is not telling the truth

Counting-Don
said

StatsCan was the envy of the Social Engineers and other forms of Dictators around the world would be the complete sentence here. The Long Form is truly "intrusive and coercive" and when I got mine one year, I had great fun creatively filling it out. So I suspect the data gleaned form the long form is not really accurate since I think it is safe to say most people that are offended by this form did the same. Only a Liberal or NDP�er (same thing) could actually trust forced compliance information. If the form is voluntary, those that are ok with it are going to fill it in accurately. While those that disagree will most likely not fill it in. This would make the data much more accurate. But then logic and Lefties never seem to come together. They prefer to use the punishment method to �Force� the people to their will. So sad�

Citizen
said

"Unacceptable Government interference", like the Liberal Party of Canada should lecture anyone on interfering with the Civil Service. It was PM's like Trudeau and Chretien that sapped power away from the civil service and placed in the the PMO.This is a government decision, and the Conservatives made it. Canadians raised concerns and they responded. Of course stats can doesn't like it because it does make their jobs a little bit harder, and they won't have as much information. But Canadians have a right to privacy under the Charter, and this forced census did violate it.

liberal
said

That's it, I'm moving out of Canada over this! The Harper Agenda has gone over the line on this one. I want to live in a country where the gov't, by law, can get all the information it needs from the public, so that it can run the economy more efficiently, and identify those who have dangerous lifestyles.

Brian Fr Langley
said

Frankly I found it an outrage to receive a form from the Feds that asked me questions I did NOT want to answer, then when I phoned to get to the bottom of it, was told fill it out or face charges (yes it's illegal not to answer the questions) and on top of that they questioned my patriotism for my reluctance. GET RID OF THE LONG FORM CENSUS

Cam
said

Harper doesn't want any statistics, he doesn't care what Canadians have to say. He just wants to dictate to the people & turn Canada into a police state.

Greg in the Hammer
said

They don't need the CONS to release the documents. Maxime Bernier probably left them on someone's couch.

charlie
said

Mr. Sheik should eventually be given the order of Canada (after the conservatives are out). I wish him all the best. I hope he may be able to continue his work with other organizations like the auditor general or the UN so we can still benefit from his talent and obviously solid integrity.Thank you, Mr. Sheik, on behalf of all progressive-minded Canadians.

Frank
said

I find the long form to be intrusive. I have had to fill it out the past three times. To be honest I do not answer the questions truthfully. So the census is just more hogwash. If all the people want the long form, a voluntary long form will work as they will all be delighted to answer the questions. As for the "head" resigning, great, try to find another cushy job that pays this well.

JFJ
said

Privatize the department and remove the requirement for coercive answers.

Bill in BC
said

Ah yes, once again the Liberal rat pack is scrambling to create (not find) any dirt it can on the government.

JayRoc
said

What a wonderful society Harper is creating....Canada is rapidly becoming more and more unrecognizable, and not in a good way.

Ron
said

Why don't they just add the forms to the now income tax forms. Good idea who's time has come since everyone fills in a form anyways all the data is there. Saves on postage and paper. mmm good idea hey.

David - Ottawa
said

The basis for efficiency in government and business is good statistics. The Conservatives, again, have destroyed something of value to all canadians. They are actively trying to dumb down this country - it may be the only way for them to stay in power.

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