Industry committee  Again, we are not the users of the data. It isn't my issue whether or not the information on water consumption is important. It is the users who have told StatsCan that they need that information.

Industry committee  Every question--

Industry committee  I think I actually responded to the question. The users tell us what to collect and it is our job to figure out how to collect it.

Industry committee  From the perspective of data quality, which is really my issue, StatsCan has a world-class reputation that we produce the best possible data at the least possible cost. That is our mantra. But as the minister said, there could be other things on the government's mind just beyon

Industry committee  Sorry?

Industry committee  Yes.

Industry committee  We've gone through major renovations. We have some minor ones to do.

Industry committee  I think I want to emphasize the fact that we are a data collection agency. We are not the users of the data. We hold consultations, and it is the users of the data who tell what data they need. If there are users out there who need information on renovations, or there are polic

Industry committee  Again, I think that's a question that the government needs to answer. If the government doesn't want people to go to jail, it's not my issue. The government can go and change legislation. I don't have any problem with that.

Industry committee  I have problems with the consequences of making something voluntary, and I've explained that the quality of the data would fall. The simple point I'm making is that the government has every right to do whatever they want to do lawfully. I have no issue on that. However, the poi

Industry committee  It's not a question for me to answer, sir.

Industry committee  Well, if the government has answered that question, I don't have any problem with it. All I'm saying here is that it is the government's right to determine the level of punishment of someone who doesn't comply with the legislation.

Industry committee  It is the government's right to establish a balance. It is our duty to produce the information that the government wants. All I'm stating here, sir, is that the quality of the information produced under a voluntary survey would be less than that under a mandatory census. That's

Industry committee  Can I just respond to that again?

Industry committee  I think I will repeat myself in saying this, but the only thing I am saying is that when a census that is mandatory is turned into a survey that is voluntary, the quality of the information will fall. The government has every right to go down this path. Nobody is disputing that