Quebec's statistics-gathering agency says the mandatory long-form national census should be reinstated – even if it causes delays in the upcoming 2011 census.
L'Institut de la statistique du Quebec has also proposed a longer-term solution to deal with the 2016 census. It says Canada could study the best census practices around the world and implement them here.
The provincial department was quite vocal this summer when controversy arose over Ottawa's decision to replace the mandatory long-form census with a voluntary one.
It denounced the Harper government's decision, arguing it would diminish the quality, reliability and consistency of census data.
It now maintains that getting rid of the mandatory long form will result in additional costs for the municipal, provincial and federal governments, which all made use of the statistics.
The institute suggests that Statistics Canada put in place a mechanism that would consult stakeholders and study the best practices around the world.
It says any recommendations could be implemented in time for the 2016 census.
