Official Languages committee  One, our statistical advice is something that the courts ask us, not every day, but from time to time. We go, we defend that advice and we defend our sampling methods. Regardless of what decision gets made on this, we will be there to provide our best statistical advice and stand

Official Languages committee  As I've said, we will stand behind the quality of the data that Canadians need and that you as legislators need to make important decisions. We have done that for decades and we will continue to do that, sir.

Official Languages committee  We've designed the questionnaire as it was administered, to your point, in 2019 to make sure that we keep the burden to a minimum, and I think you proved in quite eloquent terms that it works.

Official Languages committee  I said that there are a number of questions for which multiple responses are reasonable. That's something you would expect. With respect to rights-holders, when someone says their language is French based on the three criteria...

Official Languages committee  You are talking about ethnicity issues. The formula is based on the percentage of Canadians and the answers they give us. We don't choose the categories on the census, they reflect the responses from the previous census. The ethnic aspect is changing a lot as the years go by. The

Official Languages committee  Let's see if I can fix it up.

Official Languages committee  Let me see if I can just clarify it. As you said, the decision about the content that ultimately lands on the census questionnaire is a decision that's made by Governor in Council, by cabinet and then, subsequent to that decision, is gazetted—30 days, give or take, after that dec

Official Languages committee  It is used to better enumerate the population.

Official Languages committee  By better enumerate, we mean getting the exact population in each region. The federal government transfers billions of dollars to the provinces and communities based on these numbers.

Official Languages committee  I have already answered several times.

Official Languages committee  It is the government's decision, that is, it's the cabinet's by law.

Official Languages committee  It is not up to us to determine who...

Official Languages committee  May I answer?

Official Languages committee  We are statisticians. For us, only science, statistics and methodology matter. We will provide our best advice. Then, it will be up to the government, to you, to the cabinet to decide, in accordance with the law.

Official Languages committee  I understand completely how important this matter is. We are truly committed to providing you with high-quality data...