Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I also want to thank each of the witnesses for their presentation.
My questions are for Mr. Joyce and Mr. Béland.
This is my first time on this committee, and I think the study the committee has undertaken is very useful. I am glad to see so much focus on data accessibility and the principle of open data.
I had a quick look at the G8 Open Data Charter, as well as Canada's action plan for implementation and the principles set out by the charter. Beyond the technical side of accessibility, the charter indicates that quality information should be released in quantity and should be usable by all. I think that gives rise to a number of questions.
Let's consider, for example, what is happening at Statistics Canada right now. The government made a decision to get rid of the long form census. Just recently, Mr. Ferguson, the Auditor General, criticized the removal of data from the 2011 National Household Survey. In fact, 25% of the country's geographic areas were stripped of access to reliable data on their own communities. No one has even mentioned the potential impact on special groups who need that information. First nations and official language minority communities are two that come to mind. Some of my colleagues at the table today have no doubt repeatedly heard these same arguments in the Standing Committee on Official Languages.
How can your agency adhere to the principles set out in the government's action plan if you are stripped of the tools you need to provide reliable data to those who want and need it?
I'd like to hear your comments on that.