OTTAWA – Today, Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party and MP (Saanich-Gulf Islands), welcomed the Liberal government’s decision to bring back the long-form census.
“I commend the decision to bring back a key component in providing the necessary data for evidence-based decision making,” said Ms. May. “The announcement this morning by Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, demonstrates a willingness of this new government to openness and transparency.”
Ms. May said the return of the long-form census provides Canadian researchers and policy-makers with access to reliable and evidence-based data.
The Green Party’s Election Platform called for immediately restoring the long-form census. The Green Party is hopeful that the new government will make every attempt to bring back Munir Sheikh as Chief Statistician, who resigned following the Harper government’s decision to scrap the mandatory long-form census.
“Mr. Sheikh demonstrated tremendous integrity and courage when he resigned from his position,” said Ms. May. “I encourage the Liberal government to remember Mr. Sheikh’s commitment to his position at Statistics Canada.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca