Some Canadians using census to protest PM Carney’s majority government

TORONTO – Some Canadians are choosing either not to fill out this year’s census or are instead writing “return to sender” on the envelope, as a form of protest against Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government and the series of floor-crossings that helped the Liberals secure a majority government last month.

“I do feel betrayed by the government,” said Nina Koumoudouros, a Brampton, Ont., resident who sent a blank survey back to Ottawa. “I voted for a minority government. We didn’t vote for a majority government. Why can’t we have a say?”

After a number of people posted videos on social media of them burning their census cards or ripping them up, Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen responded with his own message that this is a misguided way to protest.

“I would say that it’s extremely misinformed,” said Gerretsen, who represents the Ontario riding of Kingston and the Islands. “What people obviously don’t realize is that if you don’t fill out the census, you’re not sticking it to Ottawa, you’re sticking it to your own community.

“The census is used to gather information on aging populations, on demographic shifts, to inform decisions around where to build infrastructure, where to build hospitals, where to set up clinics,” he added.

While Canadians were asked to fill out the census by today, it is not technically a hard deadline. Those who don’t complete it could receive follow-up phone calls or in-person visits until it is finished, which is required by law. Those who refuse could face a fine of up to $500.

Non-compliance is typically low – Statistics Canada says during the last census in 2021, they received a 98 per cent response rate.

“It’s a key part of our democracy, but it’s also fundamental for the basic services that government provides,” said Geoff Bowlby, assistant chief statistician at Statistics Canada, noting the important role census data plays for all levels of government.

“I think that there probably isn’t a proper understanding of how important the census is for them and for their communities. It’s not doing anyone a service to boycott the census.”

It’s not clear how many Canadians are choosing to boycott this year’s census; Statistics Canada says because the survey is ongoing, it’s still too early to know, but they add preliminary response numbers indicate a similar response rate to year’s past.

Bowlby says another reason some Canadians express hesitation in filling out the census has to do with privacy concerns over data collection and storage. He says all data collected is de-identified and securely kept within Statistics Canada.

“We are absolutely required under law to keep all of the data that we collect here within the walls of Statistics Canada, so we can guarantee the privacy and confidentiality,” he said.