Census debates

The Canadian Association of Journalists has waded into the census debate, telling the government, “Don’t slash our
census.” Indeed, Statistics Canada data has long occupied a spot in J-Source’s
resource section as an important
journalism tool. As well, journalism.net features a guide to
Canadians statistics that highlights census data. Journalists have long relied on Stats Can releases, such
as crime stat
reports, to develop news stories. Stats Can is also a source of industry
data, such as radio
listener-ship and Internet usage.
However, not
everyone is happy with census results, which can be sloppily
interpreted by the press.

Late in the game, the National
Statistics Council has also weighed in with a
statement defending the census. Previously, the NSC had issued a
brief response to Dr. Sheikh’s resignation. Interestingly, the NSC
identified the questions that track unpaid hours caring for seniors and
children as the biggest source of complaints received – data women’s
groups long sought as a base to argue for flexible workplaces, childcare spaces and other supports. Now, after a brief period of visibility for women’s unpaid
work, the NSC recommends jettisoning the apparently nettlesome indicator as the price of compromise.