Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Industry says that a question on race is included in the 1996 census because a specific question on racial origin would be beneficial for a wide range of purposes.
However, question 19 is inconsistent as it confuses race, nationality and geographic location. It would allow the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to claim to be a visible minority because of his Latin American birth.
Can any minister advise the House of one purpose this question will benefit other than providing targets for the government's employment equity program?