Head of Statistics Canada quits

OTTAWA, July 22 (UPI) -- The head of Statistics Canada has quit, saying he disagrees with the government's decision to drop the mandatory long-form Census questionnaire.

Munir Sheikh submitted his resignation Wednesday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The government announced in June the long form would become voluntary beginning with next year's Census. Officials said the issue was privacy.

"The government took this decision because we do not believe Canadians should be forced, under threat of fines, jail, or both, to divulge extensive private and personal information," Industry Minister Tony Clement said Wednesday.

But Sheikh disagrees, although he would not say what advice Statistics Canada gave the government before the decision.

"This relates to the question of whether a voluntary survey can become a substitute for a mandatory census," Sheikh said in a statement. "It cannot. Under the circumstances, I have tendered my resignation to the prime minister."