WHEREAS the long form of the Canada Census has provided and continues to provide invaluable information to communities across Canada about their socio-economic, demographic, ethnic and other characteristics; AND WHEREAS this information is crucial to the planning and development of resilient and successful communities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call on the federal government to reinstate the mandatory long form census for future census undertakings.
FCM Category D resolution - in accordance with FCM policy. FCM was among the first organizations to respond to the changes to the 2011 Census. We recognize that municipalities use the data provided by the long-form questionnaire to inform a wide range of policy decisions, from where to establish new transit routes to where to implement immigrant settlement programs. We have sent an update of our position to members and have written a formal letter to Minister Clement, the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada. A copy of our letter is attached. We are encouraging our members to write their local MPs. Our letter may be helpful in this regard.