Meanwhile, in Canada...

[robkelk]

I could have called this "Why Canada is a bad choice for the 51st state", considering that nobody's said that that harebrained idea is cancelled (so we have to assume it isn't), but then I thought that a more neutral thread title would be better all around.

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Sexual orientation question to appear on census for first time in 2026

The questions to be asked in next year's census include a respondent's sex at birth, with the option to select male or female. Respondents are also asked to provide their gender, with the option to choose man (or boy), woman (or girl) or write in their own answer.

The census questionnaire also provides a definition of gender to guide respondents.

"Gender refers to an individual's personal and social identity as a man (or boy), a woman (or a girl) or a person who is not exclusively a man (or a boy) or a woman (or a girl) for example, non-binary, agender, gender fluid, queer or two-spirit."

Question 36, which is only to be asked for those aged 15 years and older, asks directly about sexual orientation, explaining that the information is being collected "to inform programs that promote equal opportunity for everyone living in Canada to share in its social, cultural and economic life."

Respondents can choose between "heterosexual (i.e. straight), lesbian or gay, bisexual or pansexual" or write in their own answer.

[hazard]

You know, for some reason, given international politics ongoing right now, I do not think it is a good idea to have those questions on the census.

[robkelk]

It's the only way to get accurate data. No matter what the fundies might believe.

[hazard]

I know it's the only way to get good data.

The problem is that when madmen get access to that data, they do crazy shit with it.

[robkelk]

That has never happened at Statistics Canada. Everyone in that department is bound by both the Official Secrets actand the Statistics Act -- and the politicians don't have access to the raw data.

[robkelk]

Poilievre has to contend with Alberta separatists as he vies for a Commons seat

tl;dr: As the leader of the federal political party with the second-largest number of members in the House looks for a by-election win (he doesn't get to be Leader of the Opposition without a seat in the House, just like the leader of the federal political party with the largest number of members in the House doesn't get to be Prime Minister without a seat in the House), he has to deal with a reception that he caters to the entrenched elite.

[Labster]

Another Canadian home-grown alternative: Canuckle, a Canadian-centric clone of Wordle