Killing the long form census was just another way of fooling the fools in the ConParty

Comment by a Professor at UBC

This was one of the first indications of Harper's intended dismantling of federal governance. Any university student in a finance or economics degree program can explain the importance of a statistically significant national census. This was not ignorance on the part of Harper, but simply the first part of removing accountability of the legislative measures yet to come.

The manager of social research at the City of Toronto says the cancellation of the long-form census has impacted planning for services, and whether free programs are being offered in the most high-need communities. (Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail)

Damage from cancelled census as bad as feared, researchers say

The cancellation of the mandatory long-form census has damaged research in key areas, from how immigrants are doing in the labour market to how the middle class is faring, while making it more difficult for cities to ensure taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely, planners and researchers say.

 

Statistics Canada developed a voluntary survey after Ottawa cancelled the long-form census in 2010. Many had warned that the switch would mean lower response rates and policies based on an eroded understanding of important trends. Now researchers – from city planners to public health units – say they have sifted through the 2011 data and found it lacking.

 

READ MORE: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cities-footing-the-bill-for-data-gap-after-long-form-census-scrapped/article22695286/