Honourable senators, last week was Mental Health Week in Canada. It was also the week the Trudeau government reinstated the mandatory long-form census — "mandatory," of course, because Canadians could face conviction for failing to answer it. Given that, when I received my long-form census, I was outraged to see one particular question asking the respondent to disclose any emotional, psychological or mental health problems and expressly listing anxiety, depression and substance abuse.

Senator Harder, as a mental health advocate, I have chosen to speak openly about my husband's tragic struggle with mental illness, hoping to help other Canadians. I find it appalling that the Trudeau government is forcing Canadians to disclose this most sensitive and personal information about their own mental health. Given the private nature of this information, I would highly doubt the statistical accuracy of the responses anyway.

Why is the Trudeau government being so hard hearted by asking Canadians with mental health issues to choose between privacy or penalty?

Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate): Honourable senators, let me respond by reiterating the government's view that the long-form census is an important component of public policy preparation in Canada. The protections of privacy are well-known to members of Parliament and I'm sure to senators as well. The questions asked are those that are particularly important in the framing of public policy as we go forward.

I will bring to the attention of the appropriate department and minister the concerns expressed by the honourable senator, but I want to assure this house that the reinstatement of the long-form census is an important element of having a research, science-based approach to public policy development.