Message from former chief statistician Wayne Smith on his resignation

OTTAWA – Here is the text of a message which Wayne Smith, former chief statistician of Canada, sent to members of the National Statistical Council on Friday:

I am writing to inform you of my decision to resign as chief statistician of Canada, effective today.

All of you are aware that the government has committed to reinforce the independence of Statistics Canada.

All of you are also aware of my strongly held view that the action of the past government that most significantly compromised the independence of Statistics Canada was the decision to force Statistics Canada into the Shared Services Canada initiative with respect to the supply of its physical informatics infrastructure. Shared Services Canada and persons who can influence Shared Services Canada, now hold an effective veto over many of Statistics Canada’s decisions concerning the collection, processing, storage, analysis and dissemination of official statistics through denial or constructive denial of essential services.

All of you are aware of my view that this loss of independence and control is not only an apprehension, but an effective reality today, as Statistics Canada is increasingly hobbled in the delivery of its programs through disruptive, ineffective, slow and unaffordable supply of physical informatics services by Shared Services Canada.

I have made the best effort I can to have this situation remediated, but to no effect. I cannot lend my support to government initiatives that will purport to protect the independence of Statistics Canada when, in fact, that independence has never been more compromised. I do not wish to preside over the decline of what is still, but cannot remain in these circumstances, a world leading statistical office.

So I am resigning, in order to call public attention to this situation.