Tony Clement says he’s confident the voluntary census favoured by the Conservative government — buttressed by measures worked out over several months with StatsCan experts — can do the job.
Munir Sheikh says he was prepared to loyally implement the government’s decision and give it a go. And that he resigned only after the impression was created in news stories that he had recommended the voluntary approach.
After yesterday’s testimony at the House of Commons Industry committee, no one can doubt the decision to do away with the mandatory census was the government’s — and the government’s alone. And that Mr. Sheikh, while recognizing this is the government’s right and responsibility under the Statistics Act, has his doubts about the voluntary approach endorsed by the cabinet.
Yet, notably, neither Mr. Clement nor Mr. Sheikh pointed a finger at the other yesterday; on the contrary, the minister treated the former chief statistician with respect during his testimony — and vice versa. No bridges were burned. So, this is not a complex equation of the kind that would befuddle a prime minister.
Mr. Harper, who appoints deputy ministers, should offer Mr. Sheikh his job back as chief statistician. Mr. Sheikh — with the encouragement of the Clerk of the Privy Council and Mr. Clement — should accept the offer. And, re-united, the two gentlemen — minister and chief statistician — should get on with the 2011 census in the public interest.
