Census faces court challenge today

A Francophone group is seeking an injunction against the voluntary survey that replaced the mandatory long-form census.

When the Conservative government announced plans to get rid of the mandatory long-form census in June, Francophone groups were among the decision’s most vocal opponents. They argued that the weaker data provided by a voluntary survey would hinder the government’s ability to identify and provide equal services to French-Canadians. Today a Federal Court will hear a complaint from the Federation of Francophone and Acadian Communities of Canada, which is asking that the Conservatives’ policy be declared unconstitutional and also seeking an injunction against the voluntary form being sent out next year. Tomorrow the Liberals are expected to table a motion to reinstate the mandatory long-form census.