Greetings All. Canada Census 2001 is rapidly approaching. Census Day is 15 May 2001. Over the past couple of years we have had some suggestions that we boycott the Census and refuse to fill out the forms as a protest regarding Statistics Canada's refusal to allow public access to Historic Census records. While in principal, I tend to sympathize with those who feel like doing this, I think that practically we could not get enough people to do it to make a difference. I believe that under the threat of fine and/or imprisonment, most people would end up filling out the forms. The Statistics Act provides for fines and/or imprisonment for refusal to complete the Census forms. I am not aware of anyone having been charged and fined and/or imprisoned for such refusal, although it is possible that it has happened. Rather than charge someone for refusal to fill out the forms, what I believe would happen is that they would first receive a telephone call to try to convince you to fill out the forms. If that failed you would likely receive a personal visit with the same goal. If that failed, I do not know if you would actually be charged, but that possibility exists. All that being said, a method by which we can voice our objection without fear of retaliation has been drawn up. A statement has been formulated which I would encourage all to sign and enclose with their completed Census forms. A downloadable form containing this statement will shortly be posted on the Post 1901 Census Project website. The files have been sent and it is simply a matter of Rick Roberts having the time to load them to the server. That should happen within a day or two. I include the wording of that statement here and encourage all to either make up their own letter or download the form from the Post 1901 Census Project website. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net Co-chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC Keep up to date on Post 1901 Census information at http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted. 15 May 2001 Dr. Ivan Fellegi. Chief Statistician of Canada Statistics Canada Ottawa, Ontario Be advised that the Census Forms enclosed herewith have been completed under protest. They have been filled out only because the law requires me, under threat of fine and/or imprisonment for non-compliance, to do so. I take this position because I support public access to Historic Census Records, 92 years after collection, as per Regulation 6(d) of the Privacy Act of Canada. I call on Statistics Canada, Industry Minister Brian Tobin, and the Government of Canada to accept, and implement, suggestions and recommendations made by the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records in their report dated June 2000. Signed Address Telephone