Jul. 21, 2010 - Issue #770: Draw It Yourself
News Roundup
Show us the numbers
Opposition to the federal government's slashing of the long-form census has slowly picked up momentum. Groups from the Canadian Association of Journalists, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Canadian Labour Council to the City of Edmonton have begun publicly decrying the removal of the long-form census.
Armine Yalnizyan Senior Economist from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives believes the greatest harm will be to local government's policy decisions: "Without robust census data, it is difficult for local governments, health districts and other community service providers to respond effectively to shifting patterns of need or introduce changes—including cuts—that do the least harm or provide the greatest value for money."
The Canadian Labour Congress is concerned about Canadian citizens who will not be heard in policy decisions through this move. "Equity-seeking groups, such as aboriginal communities, racialized workers, recent newcomers and low-income households are likely going to be counted out … again by this move," remarked Hassan Yussuff, Secretary-Treasurer of the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC).
"The result will be an incomplete picture of the country, the workforce and our communities."
CAJ president Mary Agnes Welch is concerned over the potential for lost context and accountability in news stories: "Journalists use census data every single day to give context to news stories and help Canadians understand their communities. Doing away with the mandatory long-form will effectively kill a source of information that makes governments more accountable and citizens better informed. This will be a blow to democracy."
Conservative MP James Rajotte has submitted a question to Industry Minister Tony Clement, but Clement and his ministry have made no signs of revisiting the decision announced almost a month ago. Statistics Canada is currently widely regarded as one of the top statistics agencies in the world.
More stories in front »
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