CSU, GSA, SSMU and PGSS are calling on the Federal Government to immediately
halt its proposed changes to the long form census used by Statistics Canada

MONTREAL, Aug. 11 /CNW Telbec/ - Representing over 60,000 students the Concordia Student Union, the Graduate Student Association, the Students' Society of McGill University, and the Post Graduate Students' Society wish to express their concern over the intention of the Federal government to remove the mandatory long-form census. Graduate students use this data daily to complete projects and conduct research ranging from assessing the quality of public transportation, the impact various communities will experience after large-scale urban development occurs, and how civil society organizations can better engage with social issues such as poverty and discrimination. The proposed removal of the mandatory long-form census will also disrupt many ongoing studies as one member notes: "...we use the deep database of historical data to show trends and changing the methodology at this stage will make future comparisons less meaningful". Our undergraduate members meanwhile run the risk of the declining quality of information as Faculty members lose access to this important source of data.

Prominent academics and researchers describe the proposed voluntary format as a "hit or miss" situation where data will be suspect as "only those motivated to respond" will complete the form. Our members use this data as they work closely with government agencies, private interests, and civil society groups to ameliorate our communities, strengthen our economy, and promote sustainable choices. It is for this reason that we call upon the government to reverse the proposed legislative changes and allow Statistics Canada to do its job in collecting critical data about all Canadian citizens by restoring the mandatory long-form census questionnaire.

For further information: Adrien Severyns, CSU, [email protected]; Roddy Doucet, GSA, [email protected]; Myriam Zaidi, SSMU, [email protected]; Ryan Hughes, PGSS, [email protected]