Join CCSD's Campaign to Save the Census

Over 100 days have passed since the Harper Government launched its assault on Canada's most fundamental data source with a sneak attack on the long form census.  Canada's response to this decision has been unequivocal, why would the government shut down Canada's navigation system? The most  comprehensive source of information relied on as a tool to respond to the needs and priorities of every Canadian wiped out against the advice of experts across the country and abroad by political whim.

CCSD, Canada's authority on evidence based social policy,  quickly mobilized an unprecedented campaign  to fight for the Long Form's reinstatement along with hundred's of their partners across the country with:

§  over 370 organizations, representing every aspect of Canadian life, have voiced their opposition to this change

§  over 16,000 Canadians have petitioned for reversal of this decision

§  more than 10,000 individuals have joined the 'Long Form Census' Facebook page dedicated to opposing this change.

§  Canada's Chief Statistician resigned in protest

§  All opposition parties have been unanimous and vocal in their condemnation of this move

§  Challenges have launched in the Federal Court

§  tens of thousands of 'ordinary Canadians' have written, called or visited their MP's to voice their concerns

While the decision remains unchanged, this battle is far from over.  Despite the continued campaign of misinformation, we know that this decision can be changed  well into 2011, it's not over until the surveys hit our mail boxes.

Responding to the overwhelming and very real concerns about the consequences of this catastrophic decision, the Canadian Council on Social Development has launched a legal challenge in the Federal Court defending the equal right of all Canadians to be counted. Partners in the Challenge include:

§  SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF TORONTO,

§  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT HALTON,

§  SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF WINNIPEG

§  CANADIAN ARAB FEDERATION,

§  ONTARIO COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING IMMIGRANTS,

§  COUNCIL OF AGENCIES SERVING SOUTH ASIANS,

§  CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION – TORONTO,

§  AFRICAN CANADIAN LEGAL CLINIC,

§  NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION

§  SOUTH ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC OF ONTARIO,

§  AFRICAN CANADIAN LEGAL CLINIC,

§  METRO TORONTO CHINESE & SOUTHEST ASIAN LEGAL CLINIC

Experts across the country and abroad have made it clear; a voluntary survey will under-represent significant communities such as Aboriginal Canadians, Canadians living with disabilities and visible minorities. A voluntary survey will under represent the numbers, and skew the service needs, of marginalized communities.  This undercounting will be more evident at the local Neighborhood level, rendering this data unusable for local service planning - depriving the undercounted the services to which they are entitled.

This is about all of us, the last 100 days have dramatically demonstrated that as Canadians we understand the benefits and obligations of citizenship, and we stand together and are willing to speak up for what is best for our country. The next hundred days provides an opportunity for the  government to reconsider their position and for Canadians to continue to come together and take action to ensure they do.

We need your help to keep this important campaign going. Get involved, donate and participate:

https://www.gifttool.com/donations/Donate?ID=1858&AID=680

Become a member of CCSD:

http://www.ccsd.ca/membership.htm

About the Canadian Council on Social Development For more than 90 years, the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD) has been a key proponent of “unconventional” policies and programs that Canadians now consider essential. In the 1920s we helped shape the first Old Age Pension program. In the 1950s, we were champions of Unemployment Insurance. In this decade, we demonstrated why the National Child Benefit and tax credits for the working poor are wise investments.

Through our research and partnerships with organizations across the country, we continue to act as a catalyst for innovative, evidence-based approaches to reducing poverty and building resilient, hopeful thriving Canadian communities.