The Cause: Count Me Out

unless of course those weapons - yup even nuclear - happen to be on a US Navy ship taking port in our harbour, but we just pretend that doesn't happen in our so-called nuclear free city.

I really don't follow this argument. You're saying that the census is unsavory because it's being counted by a company that also makes something unsavory? It seems to me that if Lockheed Martin has found a way to produce something that doesn't kill people, we should be applauding it, not boycotting it.

If you didn't drop it in the mail by YESTERDAY, then you're already in violation...

If you didn't drop it in the mail by YESTERDAY, then you're already in violation... though they're apparently talking leniancy...

"Although failing to participate in the 2006 census carries maximum penalties of a $500 fine, three months in jail or both, Ottawa is willing to give the stragglers a little bit more time, Statistics Canada census manager Anil Arora said."

oops i ain't sent my thing in, but i have just filled it in upside-dn style w/ a nice long letter of complaint to accompany it.

I really don't follow this argument. You're saying that the census is unsavory because it's being counted by a company that also makes something unsavory? It seems to me that if Lockheed Martin has found a way to produce something that doesn't kill people, we should be applauding it, not boycotting it."

You don't follow it because you're used to circular logic. Lockheed Martin isn't 'branching out', nor has it ceased to produce land mines, depleted uranium bunker busters, F-16s, U2 spy planes, and other such "unsavory" products. This is an American company and the government has no right outsourcing our private informaation to the world's biggest weapons manufacturer. Either you are in denial, or just arguing for fun.

I really don't follow this argument. You're saying that the census is unsavory because it's being counted by a company that also makes something unsavory? It seems to me that if Lockheed Martin has found a way to produce something that doesn't kill people, we should be applauding it, not boycotting it."

You don't follow it because you're used to circular logic. Lockheed Martin isn't 'branching out', nor has it ceased to produce land mines, depleted uranium bunker busters, F-16s, U2 spy planes, and other such "unsavory" products. This is an American company and the government has no right outsourcing our private informaation to the world's biggest weapons manufacturer. Either you are in denial, or just arguing for fun.

wow, that's so nasty. great post.

I appreciate knowing of your concern about this very serious matter that raises privacy issues such as confidential data being in the hands of unaccountable private corporations.

It's an outrage that an American munitions company was handed a contract to handle Canadian census data. Many Canadians like you have told me that they don’t trust Lockheed Martin with their private information and they don’t want an arms company doing the next census. We need to protect that privacy and reassure Canadians that when they participate in the census, their personal information won’t end up in some corporate database. Along with the federal NDP Caucus, I have challenged the federal government to tear up the contract with Lockheed Martin, saying the costs of a redoing a boycotted census will be less than getting out of the deal. For more information on our efforts in this matter, please visit: http://www.ndp.ca/page/997.

We know that Canadians care about threats to their privacy and Canadian sovereignty and I want to assure you that the NDP will continue to speak out on these matters.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada

Dear Mr. Orr:

The Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, the Honourable Maxime
Bernier, has asked me to respond to your email of May 17, 2006.

I would like to assure you that Statistics Canada has taken a number of
important safeguards to protect the privacy and confidentiality of your
Census responses. These safeguards have been independently assessed by
IT security specialists and the entire assessment process overseen by a
Task Force headed by the former Auditor General of Canada, Mr. Denis
Desautels. The task force was clear in their conclusion: "Canadians can
trust that the information gathered during the 2006 Census will be
secure." The entire report is available at www.census2006.ca. I would
also like to expand on some of the security safeguards in place for the
2006 Census.

Statistics Canada is completely responsible for every phase of
conducting the 2006 Census. The contract with Lockheed Martin Canada, IBM
Canada and Transcontinental Printing Canada is strictly for the provision
of hardware, software and printing services. No contractor ever has
access to or is in possession of Census responses.

Census information is, at all times, under the complete care and full
control of Statistics Canada employees. In fact, all census databases,
facilities and networks containing confidential data are physically
isolated from any networks outside Statistics Canada. Therefore, even if a
request were ever to be made by an external authority to any contractor
for confidential data, it would be physically impossible for a
contractor to comply, given that they are never in possession of census
responses.

Public Works and Government Services Canada awarded the contract
through an open, transparent, and stringent competitive bidding process
following all the laws and regulations pertaining to procurement.
Statistics Canada has relied on the private sector in the past to provide
equipment and services to conduct a Census in a cost effective manner,
without compromising confidentiality, and the 2006 Census is no exception.

Census data are a vital source of information for decisions by
governments and private citizens and businesses that affect the daily lives of
Canadians. The data must be complete and accurate for these purposes.
We have put so much emphasis on security and confidentiality measures
regarding contractor provided systems to ensure that Canadians can
complete their Census questionnaires in full confidence of these measures.
It is critical that we all be part of the Canadian family portrait that
is the Census. I urge you to be part of that portrait.

Thank you for your interest in the census.

Ivan P. Fellegi
Chief Statistician of Canada