OTTAWA – Following the resignation of Chief Statistician Munir Sheikh last night, New Democrat Industry Critic Brian Masse (Windsor-West) condemned the Conservatives’ ideological choice to end the mandatory long-form census, a decision which threatens the reputation of the once world-leading Statistics Canada.

“This bizarre Conservative ideological choice of absurd fringe conspiracy theories over facts and science has now claimed another victim: the Chief Statistician of our country,” said Masse. “The Industry Minister has made a complete mess of this file. It is time to wake up and restore the long form census instead of making a national scientific leader leave one of our essential institutions, and tarnishing the reputation of a world-class government agency.”

Last night the Chief Statistician of Canada resigned and stated that a voluntary survey is not a substitute for the mandatory long form census, which is an elemental tool in for gathering data used to make government decisions at all levels.

“The Minister needs to admit his mistake and restore the long form census. If he will not, the Prime Minister must step in and clean up this mess. The longer this drags on, the more embarrassing it is for him and the government. More importantly, the damage being inflicted on Statistics Canada is appalling and must end now to preserve the capacity and reputation it has with Canadians and the rest of the world."