The Globe editorial board condemns it all.
As with so many political scandals, big and small, the aftermath has obscured the original decision and its rationale. The rationale proved to be groundless, while the aftermath has thrown a vital public institution, Statistics Canada, into turmoil.
But the original decision remains: As a result, the foundational, authoritative data that underlies most public opinion and public policy analysis research in Canada is gone.
Good government is about leadership – focusing the population on the important challenges of the future, not distracting them with sideshows – and management: inspiring an organization to do the best work of which it is capable.
On this matter, the government is failing the tests of both strong leadership and good management.