Layton calls on Harper to compromise on census

OTTAWA –Today, New Democrat Leader Jack Layton challenged Prime Minister Stephen Harper to finally show leadership on the census debacle and agree to work constructively to find a solution.

“Minister Clement’s heavy-handed approach has tarnished the reputation of a world class agency,” said Layton.  “But if the Prime Minister is interested in working constructively, I am willing to sit down to find a solution that maintains the integrity of the census data.”

Statistics Canada has estimated that Clement’s proposed changes could cost an extra $30 million and would affect the usefulness of the data collected.
 
“Statistics don’t normally start heated debates, but this isn’t just about numbers. Cities use census data to identify where to build seniors’ homes, schools use it to organize youth programs and transit authorities use it to plan bus routes,” said Layton. “The government must rethink its approach.”

It is now clear that the decision to scrap the mandatory long form census was made behind closed doors months ago, without any public consultation. The government then quietly released the decision over the summer in hopes that it would go unnoticed.

“This was a bad decision, not supported by the facts,” said Layton. “But it is not too late for the Prime Minister to compromise and reverse the harmful impact this will have on services and programs Canadians rely on.”