Coalition of organizations call for the reinstatement of long-form census

February 2, 2015

Bill C-626 supports Canadians’ right to information

TORONTO (Wednesday, January 28, 2015)—CJFE and 10 other organizations call on the Canadian government to pass Bill C-626 and reinstate the mandatory long-form census.

In 2010, the federal government ended the long-form census that informed critical business, policy, and research decisions across the country. As information becomes an increasingly valuable commodity in today’s world, Canada made a conscious decision to blindly walk away from vital data about our culture and society.

The mandatory long-form census provided critical information about demographics, commuting patterns, skills shortages, and other economic data that helped to determine public policy, guide researchers, and give businesses a leg up. It allowed for historical comparisons that let us know how our society is changing.

The loss of this data represents a blow to free expression, hampering the right to information that should be enjoyed by all Canadians.

“We need freedom of information to participate meaningfully in our democracy,” says Tom Henheffer, CJFE Executive Director. “It has become abundantly clear that ending the long-form census has restricted this crucial freedom in Canada. Now is the time to reinstate the census to put important data back in the hands of researchers, scholars, and civil society.”

To participate in the campaign to support Bill C-626:
• Tweet to @pmharper, @edHolder_MP and @JamesMoore_org using #ItMakesCensus and tell them why you want the long-form census restored.
• Write a letter to your MP and federal party leaders using Evidence 4 Democracy’s simple tool.
• Read and share our joint statement at cjfe.org/itmakescensus and tell all Canadians that this is an issue that impacts them directly.

Signatories:

Canadian Association of University Teachers
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)
Centre for Science in the Public Interest
Council of Canadians
Democracy Watch
Evidence for Democracy
Politics of Evidence Working Group at York University
Science for Peace
Scientists for the Right to Know
University of Toronto Faculty Association
York University Faculty Association

Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) monitors, defends and reports on free expression and access to information in Canada and abroad. Rooted in the field of journalism, CJFE promotes a free media as essential to a fair and open society. CJFE boldly champions the free expression rights of all people, and encourages and supports individuals and groups in the protection of their own and others' free expression rights.

For more information contact:
Tom Henheffer
Executive Director
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE)
Phone: 416-515-9622 x226
Email: thenheffer@cjfe.org
Website: http://cjfe.org/

Dr. Scott Findlay
Chair
Evidence for Democracy
Phone: 613-612-0666
Email: findlay@uottawa.ca

Margrit Eichler
President
Scientists for the Right to Know
Phone: 416-658-3363
Email: margrit.eichler@utoronto.ca