Inflation numbers drawn from facts

Re: “In what world did the cost of living rise by only 1% last year?” July 27

I was shocked, but not particularly surprised, that Chris Nelson accused Statistics Canada of making up data to please the government of the day. His data for this claim is nothing but a self-selected grab bag of higher bills and taxes he has received recently.

He fails to mention the price of gasoline has declined by around 10 per cent in the past few weeks, and the prices of fruits and vegetables have declined as a result of their seasonal abundance.

This approach is not science, nor the way Statistics Canada estimates the inflation rate. The agency conducts a well-designed scientific survey of retail outlets as well as local, regional, or provincial agencies to obtain over 950,000 price quotes on some 600 goods and services before computing an average, national inflation rate.

Contrary to ideologues like Nelson, this procedure is not influenced by the government of the day or the minister responsible for Statistics Canada. The only exception in recent history is the attempt by the Harper Conservative government to corrupt census results by their decision to make the long-form census voluntary.

Accurate, reliable data like that collected by Statistics Canada are essential for decision making by business and government at all levels. Nelson’s claim of dishonesty on the part of Statistics Canada has no basis in fact. I am surprised the Herald, despite its conservative leanings, would publish such drivel. Richard Wanner, Calgary