Tuesday 24 April 2012

Don't Confuse Me with the Facts Dept.: Conservatives Cut Stats Can More than Elsewhere

Okay, the Harperites are going to close prisons because their crime-fighting measures (which are just taking effect) have made the country safer, or so they say.  Nowhere do they mention that crime, as reported in Statistics Canada data that goes back decades, was at an all time low when the Conservatives were crying "Help, help" as they frightened people in to voting for them.

So it probably should be no surprise that they're also wacking a hole in the Statistics Canada budget--8 per cent off the top, which is more than other services are getting--and sending a message to other departments that they won't be penalized for cutting back on their use of Stats Can data that they must pay for.

The Globe and Maill quotes Gary Corbett, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada: Taken together, the funding cuts will impact how and what Statistics Canada can deliver to departments, agencies and the people of Canada...It’s worrisome what will happen.”

This is just more of the "don't confuse me with the facts" game plan of the Conservatives.  If you don't have facts you can say whatever you want to.  It's up to us to point out just what a smoke and mirrors game is being played.

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