Toronto Star: Walkom: The census kerfuffle isn’t about the census; it’s about Stephen Harper

[tuvor]

Two things stand out about the great Canadian census controversy.

The first is that there is a controversy. Who could have predicted that the federal government’s decision to eliminate something as profoundly prosaic as the mandatory long-form census questionnaire would generate such fierce opposition?

The second is the shameless hypocrisy shown by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government.

Industry Minister Tony Clement says he’s axing the mandatory questionnaire because the state has no right to demand intrusive information, such as the number of bedrooms in a home.

Yet his is the same government that requires airlines to collect and hand over detailed personal information on everyone who flies – and then give much of it to a foreign state.

...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/census/article/839487--walkom-the-census-kerfuffle-isn-t-about-the-census-it-s-about-stephen-harper

[Spazito]

1. Good column...

The columnist makes some very good points in it.

Thanks for posting it, it is much appreciated.