Canada’s new Liberal government restores mandatory census

Good census data offers insight into the lives of Canadians at a scale and scope that is, quite literally, country-wide.

The Statistics Act refers to a census of population and to a $500 fine or three-month jail term if a person refuses to fill in forms they are required to complete.

Bains said the long-form census will once again provide Statistics Canada with “high-quality data” that’s needed to determine the needs of the Canadian society. The Tories had replaced it with a voluntary National Household Survey, which critics felt had significant shortcomings. Researchers said the data provided through the voluntary survey lacked detail, leaving major gaps in knowledge about areas with poor survey response rates.

“Our plan for open and fair government starts with the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census”. Former chief statistician Munir Sheikh resigned his position in 2010 after Conservative Industry Minister Tony Clement suggested that bureaucrats supported the idea of a voluntary survey as a suitable substitute for the mandatory long-form questionnaire.

Canada has conducted a regular census nearly since its founding. The government is acting quickly, it says, so that it will have enough time to prepare for the next scheduled census in 2016.

In a statement, Bains said, “As we said throughout the election campaign, we are committed to making evidence-based decisions on programs and policies and to providing better and more timely services to Canadians”. Business groups including the Conference Board of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce urged the Harper government to reverse its decision.

“I think it’s important to hold our government accountable”, she said, adding, “but now is not the time for that”.