Liberals are demanding that the Parliamentary Industry, Science and Technology Committee reconvene to call Industry Minister Tony Clement on carpet for scrapping the mandatory long census.
“Scrapping the long census is a thinly veiled attack on the most vulnerable Canadians, and the federal government’s ability to deliver progressive programs that help them,” said Liberal Industry, Science and Technology Critic Marc Garneau. “We need to hear from Minister Clement and concerned organizations on an urgent basis so we can take steps to keep the census intact.”
The Liberal Party has already called for an amendment to the Statistics Act to ensure the comprehensive, mandatory long census stays.
Jobless Canadians, women, Aboriginals, visible minorities, the disabled, and francophone minority communities will be among those harmed by the government’s snap decision.
“The Conservatives want to undermine the government’s ability to enforce legislation and deliver social programs aimed at our most vulnerable,” said Mr. Garneau, citing pay equity, labour market development, and immigration settlement programs as examples.
The government’s snap decision to scrap the long census has been widely condemned by dozens of media outlets and organizations, including business groups, economists, Aboriginal leaders, francophone groups and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Canada’s Official Languages Commissioner launched an investigation into the decision, citing the government’s legal obligations and the reliance of francophone minority communities across Canada on census information.
“Liberals object to the fact that this decision was made without consultation, just after the House of Commons rose for the summer,” said Mr. Garneau. “This secretive, manipulative move was made to avoid all scrutiny, and shows no respect to the institution of Parliament. Well, Stephen Harper is not going to get away with it.”
The Conservatives will have to spend an additional $30 million to send out voluntary forms than if they had kept the long form, spending more money for less useful information.
“Filling out the census is a civic duty, and our privacy is fully protected,” concluded Mr. Garneau. “The information collected supports programs that help our fellow citizens.”
