The Liberal government is facing mounting criticism for its refusal to disclose which Statistics Canada data programs might be eliminated due to federal budget cuts, as former chief statistician Anil Arora voices serious concerns about the potential impact on critical national information.
Internal documents obtained by CTV News reveal that Statistics Canada has been instructed to cut $25 million from its budget this fiscal year, part of broader government-wide spending reductions announced in the 2023 federal budget. The cuts represent approximately seven percent of the agency's statistical programs budget.
Former Chief Statistician Raises Alarm
Anil Arora, who served as Canada's chief statistician for seven years before stepping down in December, expressed profound worry about the consequences of these reductions. "I am deeply concerned about the potential loss of key data that Canadians, businesses and communities rely on," Arora stated in an exclusive interview.
The former statistics chief emphasized that data collected by StatCan forms the backbone of evidence-based decision-making across the country, informing everything from economic policy to social program development.
Government Maintains Radio Silence
Despite repeated requests for clarification, the Liberal government and current Statistics Canada leadership have declined to specify which data collection programs might be discontinued. When pressed for details, a spokesperson for Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland provided only a generic statement about "responsible fiscal management."
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne's office similarly avoided addressing specific questions about the potential data cuts, instead offering assurances that the government remains "committed to providing high-quality statistics to Canadians."
What's at Stake for Canadians?
The budget reductions could affect numerous critical data areas:
- Economic indicators that guide business investment decisions
- Social program metrics used to allocate healthcare and education resources
- Environmental data tracking climate change impacts
- Demographic information essential for urban planning and infrastructure development
Arora warned that once these data collection programs are discontinued, rebuilding them would be enormously difficult and costly. "You can't just turn these programs on and off like a tap," he explained. "The institutional knowledge and sampling frames take years to develop."
Broader Implications for Evidence-Based Policy
The situation raises fundamental questions about the government's commitment to evidence-based decision-making. Without reliable, comprehensive data, policymakers at all levels—from federal ministers to municipal councils—would be operating in the dark when crafting legislation and allocating resources.
As the Liberal government remains silent on which statistical programs will face elimination, researchers, businesses, and community organizations across Canada await answers with growing apprehension about the potential gaps in the country's information infrastructure.
