OTTAWA – “I am pleased with our government’s decision to eliminate the mandatory long-form census,” said Leon Benoit, Member of Parliament for Vegreville-Wainwright. “The census in its previous form was simply too intrusive into the personal information of Canadians.”

“Over the years, I’ve received numerous complaints from my constituents about the long-form census,” Benoit continued. “They have indicated that they are not comfortable with giving the government so much personal information. They are even less comfortable with the fact that if they fail to complete the census, they will be threatened with fines and jail time.

“I share the concerns of these constituents. Canadians should not be subjected to such threats just because they don’t want to give the government information that they feel uncomfortable in giving.”

Benoit’s comments follow the Conservative government’s decision to make Canada’s long-form portion of the census voluntary rather than mandatory. The short form portion remains mandatory. Industry Minister Tony Clement made the announcement on June 30. 

Canada’s next census will be held in 2011.

“I am confident that this decision will continue to allow Statistics Canada to collect accurate and relevant information from Canadians,” said Benoit. “All important information will continue to be collected through the mandatory short-form census, while the long-form can still be submitted voluntarily.”
“Our government’s decision to eliminate the mandatory long-form census responds to the concerns of Canadians, here in Vegreville-Wainwright and across the country,” Benoit concluded. “We will still be able to collect relevant information without allowing the state into the bedrooms of the nation.”