How Census-Gate Will Change Canada

The consequences of scrapping the mandatory long-form census will be felt by countless non-governmental organizations and the people they serve.

Amid all of the debate over the elimination of the mandatory long-form census, it’s easy to lose sight of how important the information it collects is for Canadians in their day-to-day lives. This is a decision that will have profound consequences for countless organizations that comprehensively plan for and contribute to the well-being of Canadians. One of these is the B.C. Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA).

BCNPHA is a provincial umbrella organization that provides leadership and support to non-profit housing providers who aim to develop and operate a high standard of affordable housing across the province. We advocate on behalf of over 550 members for the continued provision of safe, secure, and affordable housing through public, private, and non-profit sector cooperation and partnering.

Sound and reliable data forms the evidence base we need to advocate on behalf of the sector, and indeed for British Columbians in need of safe, secure, and affordable places to live. From our own data we know everything we need to know about the supply of non-profit housing in B.C. We know that 600 non-profit housing societies provide slightly over 50,000 units of long-term housing in 1,500 buildings. We collect data on land ownership, property values, services provided, the age of buildings and the materials used to construct them, energy efficiency, and board and staff information for societies. Effectively, BCNPHA has created its own census of non-profit housing in the province.

We collect this information at considerable expense. Societies provide this information to us at their inconvenience. Why? Because it is critical to sound planning and decision-making for the affordable housing sector and helps to ensure that public and private dollars are spent where they are most effective.

What our data cannot tell us is the demand for affordable housing in B.C. Data collected through the mandatory long-form census is an essential tool in determining this, and helps us complete the supply and demand picture. Census data is known to be valid, reliable, and comparable over time. It gives us important knowledge about the income, gender, ethnicity, health, and housing conditions of citizens, which in turn allows the affordable housing sector to plan appropriate housing and related services for British Columbians. Without reliable and comparable census data, it will be increasingly difficult for BCNPHA and our member agencies to improve access to affordable housing in communities where the need is highest.

It is for these reasons, and many more, that we absolutely do not support the government’s decision to eliminate the long-form census and replace it with a voluntary national household survey. We have written a letter to Industry Minister Tony Clement and urge others to do the same.