The Harper government's decision to get rid of the long form is based on their claim that it invades privacy and threatens fine and/or jail time, if you do not comply . This is baseless, when you consider that a whole host of organisations who are forced by the government to supply information , what the president of the Criminal Lawyers Association called "a giant system of snitches Stalin weould be proud of". Banks, casinos, race tracks, curency exchanges, life insurance companies, real-estate agents, post offices, chechcashing services etc. have to file reports of "suspicious?"(not defined) behaviour and they must not tell you. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up $2 million and/or five years in prison. THESE THE REAL INVASIONS
Statistic Canada has long been viewed as the best of its kind in the world. Its impeccable methodology and autonomy is renowned. Getting rid of the mandatory long-form census and replacing it with a voluntary survey will skew results and demographic record and thus affect all government programmes, whether it be transfers to provinces or spending on social and other programmes. The Harper government has put a muzzle on StatsCan workers and so they cannot talk about the changes and senior staffers cannotwhat advice they gave to the minister.The head of StatsCan has resigned and gone public to try and save the reputation of the agency.
The travelling/ grovelling show has taken British Prime Minister David Cameron from the United States, where he tried to get the Obama administration to go easy with BP (HE FAILED), to Turkey where he was so keen to win some trade dollars, Turkish friendship and curry-favour with the Arab states that he accused Israel of turning Gaza into a "prison camp", and critized the Israeli attack on the "humanitarian flotilla."Gaza cannot and must not be allowed to remain a prison camp", he squeaked.He stood with Turkish P.M. Erdogan, who compared the Israelis to Somali pirates, and also demanded compensation and an apology. Erdogan refused to Caneron's appeal to use his position..."unique role", to persuade Iran to co-operate. Erdogan had critized European Union sanctions on Iran. Oh how low can you go!!!!.Now he is making nice with India. He sees rupees all over, rupees to bail out the pound. He looksat the projected tens of billions that India will spend over the next few years and he begins to salivate....if I can get some of these billions. I can turn them into British jobs and get elected with a majority and not have to share power with those snivelling Liberal Democrats, he is thinking. He condemns Pakistan's(music to Indian ears)support for the Taliban and also the support given by Pakistan's ISI, to groups operating against India in Kashmir.
Britain is in desperate economic state. It needs huge influx of investments, contracts, and trade. India withits burgeoning middle class is a huge market hungering for "toys" and Britain wants in. It cannot play the old colonial connection and so must resort to fawning. It is such a pitiable sight.......Sic transit gloria mundi.......