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Kelowna  

Many refuse census

Hundreds of people are refusing to complete their census, according to a Castanet poll.

We asked readers this week in an informal poll if they have completed their census. The majority of the 4,642 respondents said they had filled out the mandatory census, with just over 82 per cent, or 3,815 people.

About 12 per cent, or 579 people, said they hadn't yet completed it.

Another 5.3 per cent – 248 people – said they planned to break the law and face a fine or jail by refusing to complete it. 

Earlier this week, Statistics Canada stated about 70 per cent of the 15 million census forms sent out in early May (10.5 million) had already been returned.

Recent 'final notice' letters threatened legal action against those who have not completed their short, or long forms.

Those who are refusing to fill out their form are quite adamant.

TheWatchman had this to say.

"First, all employers must pay for work requested. Now isn't the federal level of government an employer? So I need to be placed on payroll or at least a contract signed. By law any work performed Must be paid for. Secondly, forced labor is slavery which Canada outlawed many years ago. I got a letter in my letter box addressed to my property, which I refused to fill out. Nothing came addressed to me."

Keith Williment leaves no doubt what he will be doing with his census form.

"I refuse. They won't put people in jail."

Truthinmedia appears to be one who won't be filling out the form either.

"Come and arrest me for not filling out a census. Like the courts don't have enough to do."

Others were split as to whether we should, or should not, be conducting a census at all.

bgrigg Brad was conflicted.

"I have no problem with a simple census. It's important to know how many people of what age yadda yadda. What they don't need to know is pretty much every other question they ask. Trudeau Père once said that the government had no business in the nation's bedrooms. They don't have any business inside my house at all!"

Lola Brad was totally on board.

"I've always done them, no big deal. I filled out the long form last time, the short form this time. The long form was long, as the name implies, and asked questions about religion, etc., that the short form doesn't ask. The short form gets no more personal than asking about gender specifics. I believe it lists them all from A to Z."

So too was Matt

"Wow. So many people seem to have such serious opposition to the notion of being required to fill out a five minute survey once every five years. I seriously have to wonder how these people would do in a country like North Korea."

lonetime filled it out, but didn't necessarily like it.

"Yea, I filled out our census on line. I too am extremely put off by the fill out the form or go to jail intimidation crap. Has anyone ever gone to jail because they did not fill out a stupid government form? I doubt it, but they keep trying the old intimidation trick."

Big Picture makes this point.

"They ask too many questions. Some of which they really don't need to know. Remember also that now-a-days, everything gets leaked eventually. Also, they can't prove I received a census, could have been lost or stolen."

And, pbody has two words for the government

"Pay me."

Census information is collected every five years.



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