[Newsbot]

Filibuster Cartoons
Title: Clement Vs. the Census (click to view)
Date: July 20, 2010
As there was in the States some months ago, there has been much controversy in Canada recently regarding the so-called "long form census." Tony Clement, Stephen Harper's minister of industry, has said he considers long census questionnaires, which ask all sorts of prying questions about race and religion and occupation and whatnot, excessively intrusive, and plans to phase them out. The government has already phased out punishments for non-completion, and is promoting the idea that the bulk of long form census data should only be submitted voluntarily.

Since most Canadians don't even receive the long form survey to begin with (the short-to-long ratio is presently about 70-30), a lot of statisticians and demographers are raising a fuss, saying the Clement plan will lead to all sorts of distorted and useless statistical data, which will in turn lead to the poor management of government programs that rely on it.

My pals at the Western Standard's Shotgun blog recently asked me for my opinion on the census kerfuffle, to which I replied:

A lot of people seem to be clinging to this misguided idea that census data only exists for the benefit of the government. On the contrary, I find thorough demographic statistics a vital tool that ordinary Canadians can use to hold their government to account.

When the government makes claims about jobs, or immigration, or bilingualism, or families, or multiculturalism, or any one of dozens of other topics, it's always nice to know that the Census website is only a click away to find out if the facts match the rhetoric.

In my more conspiratorial moments, I sometimes wonder if undermining the census is just a very convenient way for politicians to keep the citizenry in the dark about the realities of their own country.

Comment on the Facebook page.

[Bruce_the_vii]

I use the Census data frequently myself.

[Psudo]

It impresses me, JJ, how often you can enter a polarized debate and make some simple point that fundamentally alters the arguments being made. I wish I had that talent for noticing what others miss.

[Dayseed]

Psudo wrote:

It impresses me, JJ, how often you can enter a polarized debate and make some simple point that fundamentally alters the arguments being made. I wish I had that talent for noticing what others miss.

Just tell him the next time you two are on a date. Talk about ass-kissing.

[BartSimpson]

Down here we're told that the Census data is secret for 70 years. So in the 2000 Census I put in my cockatiel, George, as an "Australian Native". About three months after the census was completed George started getting junk mail.

[EyeBrock]

I really don't know what all the fuss is about but I'm suspicious that the Libs just seem to be against because the Tories are for it.

Much like the Libs, who got us into the F35 program, are now opposing the ordering of aircraft. It just seems very silly.

Really,Ottawa and the antics of the Libs and Tories are just pissing me off.

[Dayseed]

EyeBrock wrote:

I really don't know what all the fuss is about but I'm suspicious that the Libs just seem to be against because the Tories are for it.

Much like the Libs, who got us into the F35 program, are now opposing the ordering of aircraft. It just seems very silly.

Really,Ottawa and the antics of the Libs and Tories are just pissing me off.

Good opposition is holding the government accountable. Bad opposition is being a contrarian to everything the government is doing.

I'd like to see old Iggy actually examining the government's bills and agenda and maybe, just maybe, endorsing something that the Tories have done right. I'm no Harper fan, but let's dispense with the idea that everything they do is wrong.

[DerbyX]

Where does this even mention the Liberals?

[EyeBrock]

Dayseed, I agree.

On the census, the stats are already twisted when it comes to nationality, country of birth, ethnicity etc. I've tried to examine data and look at stats in these areas but they are not recorded that way anymore, presumably in an attempt to look past race, ethnicity and country of birth.

The problem is that when we have certain groups protesting that they are being unfairly targeted or are under serviced, we can't use the race/ethnicity neutral stats to confirm or deny the problem.

You can't erase this form of data collection then try and resolve real problems within the various communities in Canada that actually need our help.

Changing the way facts a reported to suit a particular agenda is just papering over the cracks and isn’t acknowledging that we have a problem or two.

[Psudo]

Dayseed wrote:

Just tell him the next time you two are on a date. Talk about ass-kissing.

I didn't kiss you.

What do I gain by making up a compliment, anyway?

[2Cdo]

DerbyX wrote:

Where does this even mention the Liberals?

It doesn't! But I do believe the Libs started this long form when they were in power.

EyeBrock wrote:

I really don't know what all the fuss is about but I'm suspicious that the Libs just seem to be against because the Tories are for it.

I think you have it backwards in this case. The Libs want it to stay and the Conservatives want it gone!

[commanderkai]

Dayseed wrote:

Psudo wrote:

It impresses me, JJ, how often you can enter a polarized debate and make some simple point that fundamentally alters the arguments being made. I wish I had that talent for noticing what others miss.

Just tell him the next time you two are on a date. Talk about ass-kissing.

Eh? That seems to be pretty...rude, no?

[Mr_Canada]

I agree JJ, the census data is all of ours.

And as far as I know, they're the only reliable numbers on the religion in this country.

I've used it, I'd like as many questions on there that are appropriate. We aren't a bunch of idiots in this country, a long quiz isn't going to kill us when we give more of our personal information away shopping at Safeway.

[Psudo]

You give more personal info at Safeway? Does that mean Safeway has reliable numbers on religion in Canada, but doesn't share them publicly? =]

I'm just teasing, though. I substantially agree with you.

[Bruce_the_vii]

here, taking the census too seriously

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtuPvwB ... re=related