- Harper, "Veni Vidi Vidiate"

7/22/2010 10:59:39 AM The Globe and Mail
John Ibbitson, Long or short, Tories must retreat on the census, Jul. 22, 2010
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/john-ibbitson/long-or-short-tories-must-retreat-on-the-census/article1648011/ Tab 54

It is not just the confidence in the information that Statscan releases that is at stake here. It is the confidence in Statcan as a trustworthy agency. Harper, Clement and the Cons' are tainting it with their political hyper-partisanship.

Statscan has also enjoyed an impeccable reputation up until now.

We must not let Stephen Harper destroy it with their political interference and purely partizan approach to everything.

When we look at the control of the message that the Harper government enforces on anyone under its control, directly or even indirectly, as demonstrated by the MEPS, and when we consider just how important the Harper government places on being able to say that their plan is working, can we really take at face value what comes out of Statscan these days regarding how great the economy is, or any other agency under Harper's control, for that matter.

If Munir Sheikh's resignation says we can, then the question is: for how long.

It is just a matter of time and a few well chosen political appointments and job placements. The unfortunate thing is that Mr. Sheikh's resignation may simply accelerate the process, since now the top job is open. And you can be sure, even if Harper convoked a secret panel to choose, that it will be a hyper-partizan appointment.

Statscan is one of the unifying forces in Canada, especially given our regional and cultural diversity and economic extremes. It helps to keep our politicians honest by keeping us anchored to truth and reality. Now we can start to see why Harper wants to undermine its reliability.

It is Tony Clement that should resign and every person in Canada should stand up, be counted, and demand this. Better yet for Canada, give Harper and all the Con's the boot.

Stelmach seems to be the only Premier that supports the Con change in the census - ask Statscan what the chances are of that being a co-incidence.

Lloyd MacILquham cicblog.com/comments.html