Figures Lie and Liars Figure.

Spin doctors are expert at taking a batch of numbers of massaging them to support or advance an argument that helps to make whatever case they are advocating on a given day. Sometimes is just called the Big Lie.

Among them these days is the notion that is being reinforced this week that Saskatchewan is the biggest emitter of planet-warming emissions in the country. This is the latest in a string of calculations that portray us in a negative light. Another is the on-going reporting of crime stats which make our cities among the most dangerous in Canada.

At the heart of this story is measuring on a per capita basis. It is designed to make vote-rich big cities look better while tarnishing under-populated regions. Using this methodology, Saskatchewan is characterized as the highest emitter in the land or most violent ….on a per capita basis.

But think about that for a second. Suppose we doubled our population: we would become among the lowest emitters. But with twice as many people, we’d increase our emissions while improving our standing.