One of the key duties of a government is to protect the rights and privacy of all of its nation’s citizens. With that in mind, our government has recently made the decision to replace the mandatory long form portion of the census with a voluntary survey. As a government, we recognize that the information gathered in the long form census is valuable. However, we also recognize that we must strike a balance between collecting information and protecting personal privacy when the government is gathering sensitive data.

The reason for replacing the mandatory long form with a voluntary National Household Survey is clear. Put simply, it is not appropriate to coerce and threaten Canadians into divulging extensive private and personal information under the threat of jail, fines or both. Frankly, it is shocking that anyone not willing to disclose such information as whether their home is need of repairs or what time they leave for work should be threatened with jail time.

To fully appreciate the issue one must first understand what the long form census truly is. The long form is a 40-page document that includes questions on religion, household duties and other personal activities. Since the long form was introduced in 1971, the level of detailed personal information Canadians are being asked to hand over to the government has grown. The changes we have made simply eliminate the penalties associated with non-completion of the 40-page long form census.

We have chosen this reasoned and responsible approach that finds a better balance between collecting necessary data and protecting the privacy rights of Canadians. The data that had been collected under the old mandatory long form census will now be collected through the new, voluntary National Household Survey.

No responsible government can rightfully demand that their citizens share private information under threats of jail time and fines. Our government has worked extensively to ensure that Canadians will no longer be harassed and compelled into filling out the long form census and that their personal privacy is steadfastly defended.

We respect that Statistics Canada is known worldwide for the quality and value of the data it collects and the Government of Canada recognizes the importance of maintaining these meticulous methods and standards used for all of its surveys.

Certainly, we encourage Canadians to fill out the new National Household Survey.
We believe that this new approach, combining a mandatory short-form census with a voluntary long-form survey, achieves an appropriate balance between the need for data to inform public policy research, while respecting the privacy of Canadians.

Mark Warawa, MP Langley
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Enivironment

August, 2010