UCC Opposes Cancelling Census Long Form

Ottawa, July 16, 2010 - The Ukrainian Canadian Congress expressed its dismay regarding the Government of Canada’s decision to eliminate the long version of next year’s Canada Census. The UCC added its voice to those of many municipal and provincial governments, the former Chief Statistician of Canada, many universities, multicultural and faith groups in opposing the decision.

“The census long form allows us to create fact based, long-term planning for the development of programs and services in Canada and for the Ukrainian community in particular. The fact that we know that there are 1.2 million Canadians of Ukrainian origin is due to census data,” stated UCC National President Paul Grod. “Our ability to implement bilingual school programs, conduct fundraising, deliver programs and services that support the needs of our community are all critical to proper planning and this data must be fact based.”

In the past, one-fifth of households received the census long form which asked more than 50 questions on subjects such as ethnic origin, disability, educational status, household work, income and housing.

The removal of census long form data will hurt immigrants. As noted in The Globe and Mail, “Canada’s economic and social success is intimately linked to the economic and social success of new arrivals. Alarmingly, the average experience of immigrants in the Canadian labour market is deteriorating. Long-form data brought this problem to light; other long-form information on education, language and country of origin can help us address it.”

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress strongly urges the government to reinstate the census long form for the Canada 2011 Census.