Real Change: A New Plan For a Strong Middle Class (page 37)

"Canada's chief statistician has resigned in protest over what he says is the federal governments' failure to protect Statistics Canada's independence. Wayne Smith says the government's decision to create Shared Services Canada and centralize all information technology services across government has compromised Statistics Canada's ability to fulfil its mandate. "

(CBC, September 16, 2016)

« To ensure that Canadians continue to benefit from high-quality statistics produced in accordance with internationally recognized methods and standards, the government will introduce legislative amendments to the Statistics Act to reinforce the independence of Statistics Canada. Specifically, the amendments will:

• Give the Chief Statistician of Canada decision-making authority on the procedures, methods and professional standards regarding content, timing and methods of statistical releases and publications;

• Appoint the Chief Statistician of Canada to a fixed five-year renewable term based on merit, only removable for cause and not at the pleasure of the government;

• Increase transparency around decisions and directives made by the government as they relate to Statistics Canada; and

• Replace the National Statistics Council with a newly created Canadian Statistics Advisory Council to reinforce independence, relevance and transparency in the national statistical system. »

(A Plan for Middle Class Progress : Fall Economic Statement, October 27, 2016)

Bill C-36, An Act to amend the Statistics Act

"A Liberal bill to strengthen the independence of Statistics Canada fails to address one of the biggest challenges to the agency's autonomy, according to critics." (CBC, February 10, 2017)