Munir Sheikh
Encyclopedia
Munir A. Sheikh, Ph.D., is a Canadian
public servant, economist, academic and the former Chief Statistician of Canada
. He is currently a Distinguished Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Queen's University
.
in 1947, Sheikh received a Master of Arts in economics
from McMaster University
in 1970, and earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Western Ontario
in 1973. He is married with 3 children.
Sheikh began his public service career as an economist with the Economic Council of Canada
from 1972 to 1976. After a brief stint with the National Energy Board
between 1976 and 1978, he joined the Department of Finance
and rose to the rank of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister in 2000.
Between 2001 and 2006, he held senior positions with Health Canada
, the Privy Council Office
and Human Resources and Social Development Canada. He has also taught at the University of Ottawa
and Carleton University
. Later in his career, Sheikh oversaw a $100-billion tax-reduction policy and helped craft the 2005 budget. He was praised by a former colleague as "the best economist in the federal government."
by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
. He officially became the Chief Statistician of Canada on June 16, 2008, replacing Ivan Fellegi
.
On July 21, 2010, Sheikh resigned from that post, following a controversy resulting from the Conservative government's
decision to no longer require mandatory completion of the Canada 2011 Census
long form. The decision has been heavily criticised; opponents have argued that the decision was politically motivated and that it will compromise the value of census data.
Following his resignation, in a public letter, Sheikh expressed his disapproval of the government's decision, writing:
Industry Minister Tony Clement
has stated that the change to voluntary forms was made because of privacy-related complaints, though he acknowledged that the decision was made without consultations with governments that rely on the census data. Media reports claiming Clement had said that this change was made on the advice of Statistics Canada were later shown to be incorrect, although this did not change Mr. Sheikh's decision to resign, as he felt the mere perception StatsCan supported the decision was cause for resignation. Emails and a speech prepared by Sheikh, which have subsequently been released, demonstrate that Sheikh had always been opposed to the decision. It appeared that the government had misrepresented his position. In an interview with the CBC
he stated that the government has tried to make it "quite clear that it was my view that the quality of the data from the voluntary survey would be as good as data from the mandatory census, which isn't what I believed in." Clement has denied allegations that he misrepresented Sheikh's position in relation to the change.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
public servant, economist, academic and the former Chief Statistician of Canada
Chief Statistician of Canada
The Chief Statistician of Canada is a deputy of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada - the Minister of Industry.The Chief Statistician advises on matters pertaining to statistical programs of the department and agencies of the Government of Canada...
. He is currently a Distinguished Fellow and Adjunct Professor at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
.
Early career
Born in PakistanPakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
in 1947, Sheikh received a Master of Arts in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
from McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
in 1970, and earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
in 1973. He is married with 3 children.
Sheikh began his public service career as an economist with the Economic Council of Canada
Economic Council of Canada
The Economic Council of Canada is a former Crown corporation that was owned by the Government of Canada and was established in 1963 under the Economic Council of Canada Act....
from 1972 to 1976. After a brief stint with the National Energy Board
National Energy Board
The National Energy Board is an independent economic regulatory agency created in 1959 by the Government of Canada to oversee "international and inter-provincial aspects of the oil, gas and electric utility industries"...
between 1976 and 1978, he joined the Department of Finance
Department of Finance (Canada)
-Function:Department of Finance Canada operates under the Minister of Finance. Its purpose is to ensure a healthy Canadian economy by developing polices of sound economic management and providing expert advice to the government....
and rose to the rank of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister in 2000.
Between 2001 and 2006, he held senior positions with Health Canada
Health Canada
Health Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for national public health.The current Minister of Health is Leona Aglukkaq, a Conservative Member of Parliament appointed to the position by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.-Branches, regions and agencies:Health Canada...
, the Privy Council Office
Privy Council Office (Canada)
In Canada the Privy Council Office is the secretariat of the federal cabinet, providing officially non-partisan advice and support to the Prime Minister and leadership, coordination, and support to the departments and agencies of the government...
and Human Resources and Social Development Canada. He has also taught at the University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual, research-intensive, non-denominational, international university in Ottawa, Ontario. It is one of the oldest universities in Canada. It was originally established as the College of Bytown in 1848 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate...
and Carleton University
Carleton University
Carleton University is a comprehensive university located in the capital of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. The enabling legislation is The Carleton University Act, 1952, S.O. 1952. Founded as a small college in 1942, Carleton now offers over 65 programs in a diverse range of disciplines. Carleton has...
. Later in his career, Sheikh oversaw a $100-billion tax-reduction policy and helped craft the 2005 budget. He was praised by a former colleague as "the best economist in the federal government."
Statistics Canada and controversial resignation
Sheikh was appointed as the head of Statistics CanadaStatistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. Its headquarters is in Ottawa....
by Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
. He officially became the Chief Statistician of Canada on June 16, 2008, replacing Ivan Fellegi
Ivan Fellegi
Ivan Peter Fellegi, OC is a Hungarian-Canadian statistician and was the Chief Statistician of Canada from 1985 to 2008.Born in Szeged, Hungary, Ivan Fellegi was in his third year of studying mathematics at the Eötvös Loránd University, when the Hungarian uprising was crushed in 1956...
.
On July 21, 2010, Sheikh resigned from that post, following a controversy resulting from the Conservative government's
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
decision to no longer require mandatory completion of the Canada 2011 Census
Canada 2011 Census
The Canada 2011 Census is a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population on May 10, 2011. Statistics Canada—an agency of the Canadian government—conducts a nationwide census every five years...
long form. The decision has been heavily criticised; opponents have argued that the decision was politically motivated and that it will compromise the value of census data.
Following his resignation, in a public letter, Sheikh expressed his disapproval of the government's decision, writing:
Industry Minister Tony Clement
Tony Clement
Tony Peter Clement, PC, MP is a Canadian federal politician, President of the Treasury Board, Minister for the Federal Economic Initiative for Northern Ontario and member of the Conservative Party of Canada....
has stated that the change to voluntary forms was made because of privacy-related complaints, though he acknowledged that the decision was made without consultations with governments that rely on the census data. Media reports claiming Clement had said that this change was made on the advice of Statistics Canada were later shown to be incorrect, although this did not change Mr. Sheikh's decision to resign, as he felt the mere perception StatsCan supported the decision was cause for resignation. Emails and a speech prepared by Sheikh, which have subsequently been released, demonstrate that Sheikh had always been opposed to the decision. It appeared that the government had misrepresented his position. In an interview with the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
he stated that the government has tried to make it "quite clear that it was my view that the quality of the data from the voluntary survey would be as good as data from the mandatory census, which isn't what I believed in." Clement has denied allegations that he misrepresented Sheikh's position in relation to the change.