President of Queen's Privy Council for Canada and [CREST] FRENCH WORDING Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Ottawa, Canada, K1A 1K2 Sep 21, 2000 Mrs. Muriel M. Davidson 25 Crestview Avenue Brampton, Ontario L6W 2R8 Dear Mrs. Davidson: I received your e-mail of September 6, 2000, concerning the preservation of census records. Thank you for taking the time to write to me with your views. Let me assure you that your comments have been carefully noted. Given that the matter you raise falls within the responsibilities of the Honourable John Manley, Minister of Industry, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of your correspondence to him for his consideration. Yours sincerely [Signature] Stephane Dion c.c.: The Honourable John Manley, P.C., M.P.

Dear Mrs. Davidson, Thank you for your letter regarding accessing 1911 census records. I have received many letters on this issue. I appreciate hearing the views of those who support the release of this information. Many of my constituents, along with many other Canadians have been quite vocal in their support for releasing census records for research purposes.Genealogical research is increasingly important to many Canadians in search of their roots. Given the overwhelming support for the release of these records, I believe this must be recognized. I support the release of this information and will urge the Minister of Industry, the Honourable John Manley to proceed with the necessary changes. Thank you again for your letter. Sincerely, Bill Casey, M.P. Cumberland-Colchester

To all:- Yesterday, I attended the monthly meeting of Halton-Peel Genealogical Society of the OGS as a visitor. When asked to "say a few words", that was my opportunity to tell members about the progress of one of their member's census bills, Bill S-15. I challenged many to return completed sheets of 25's at the next meeting, as I "felt this was a crucial time for Senator Lorna Milne". Second Reading has been passed, Bill S-15 onto Committee, but there is still Third Reading, Debate and Vote. Non-Canadian assistance is welcome!!! So far, with petitions sent to my address, there have been more Non-Canadian signatures than Canadian. Do not be afraid to list your address -- it is not used for any interview, commercial or other schemes -- will just count as support for Senator Milne. [There is also a House of Commons petition for Murray Calder] Go to <http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/petition.htm> Download the petition you need on a floppy A:\ disk, then print. Canadians have a choice of French or English, Non-Canadians have only English. Also, please do not mix Canadian and Non-Canadian addresses, could allow the scrutineers to dissallow the petition - this happened with one that had over 200 signatures. Please keep my mail box filled for Lorna!! Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Canada Census Committee http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html

To all:- Please disregard the "emergency phone number" that went out on at least two memos, one to the owner of the phone number, one memo to this list. A note of apology has been sent. The province of Quebec has 75 Members of Parliament, and this is a long hour's work: -- No memos sent to the 5 MPs with GOLD ticks -- There are none, to date, with RED Xs -- Error 404 for Serge Cardin <Cardin.S@parl.gc.ca> -- No e-mail addresses for the following:- - Ms. Christiane Gagnon - Jean-Paul Marchand - Stephane Bergeron [Does anyone know their Parliamentary addresses?] -- Joe Clark does not have an e-mail address -- unavailable While I was in the business of sending memos, I included several in New Brunswick, with 5 memos copied to Victor Luce. Now -- we shall see if there are any results. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm

Greetings All email addresses for Stockwell Day Day.S@parl.gc.ca Joe Clark Clark.J@parl.gc.ca Happy Hunting. Gordon

QUESTION: Will YOU, as elected Member of Parliament, support Jason Kenney's Motion M-160 on Tuesday, Sept. 26? ANSWER: A Simple YES or NO will be sufficient. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> English language replies Canada Census Committee member ================= QUESTION : En tant que parlementaire élu, supporterez-vous la Motion M-160 de M Jason Kenney, mardi le 26 septembre 2000 ? RÉPONSE : Un simple OUI ou NON suffira. Réponses en français : Christine Joudrey <cjjoud@bserv.com> Jeannine Ouellet <jeannine.ouellet@sympatico.ca> Jean Labrosse <labray@rocler.qc.ca> In case of "emergency" : (450) 371-2381.

Hi Phyllis:- I do not often get confused -- but this time I am perplexed. Is Stockwell Day both a member of the Alberta Cabinet and a Member of Parliament for a British Columbia riding? That is impossible!! It is also not legal, as far as I know. Day has enough to say -- why does he have to wait until Klein programs him? If he is such a Klein man, he should have stayed in Alberta, not the "big time" in Ottawa. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> leonard baillie wrote: > I think Mr. Day has to wait to hear from Premier Ralph Klein before he can > say too much. He is pretty much a Klein man. Day won't speak up front too > much. That is how I see it. > Phyllis > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Muriel M. Davidson" <davidson3542@home.com> > To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 11:44 AM > Subject: [CCC-L] Is Stockwell Day's Internet Connected? > > > To all:- > > > > The subject line is my personal opinion re Stockwell Day and his talk > > about rejuvenating the government of Canada, etc., etc. > > > > To date he has not answered ONE single memo sent to him, either > > from myself or by others. <day@canadianalliance.ca> > > Is the e-mail hooked up? > > > > Personally, Mr. Day, with many VOTERS from across Canada, and with > > a very possible fall election on the horizon, you could help yourself by > > declaring whether YOU support Post-1901 Census Release or if you > > do NOY -- a Simple YES or NO. > > > > Heavens!! You never even replied to the query IF you would support > > Jason Kenney's Motion M-160 - to be voted on Sept. 26th. Jason > > has worked long hours for you -- we all know it -- and he deserves > > your public support. This has not gone unnoticed! > > > > Please do not give me the old song about "not my constituent". > > To quote another Member of Parliament, you are there to serve all > > of Canada - if you wish votes - rather than one itty-bitty riding. > > > > Come on, Stock!! Get with the "in" crowd -- the ones who wish to > > be re-elected!!! > > > > Does it hurt to admit you support something? I am among about > > 7.5 million voters who might be wondering for whom to vote. > > Yes, genealogists do vote!!!!! We also read census records!! > > > > Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> > > Canada Census Committee > > http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm > > > >

Dear Muriel, Although my meeting with Mr. Chan was pleasant, and I think worthwhile, he said that until the appearance of the long awaited report he will not decide how he will vote on the issue, and he did not indicate how he would vote if the report doesn't appear before the vote is taken. However, for what it is worth, he was receptive to our arguments, and he had replied reasonably promptly to my e-mails to him, although his response contained the standard position about the so-called promises of secrecy made to census respondents. However, I think that he heard my pitch about the "Myths of Census". I suppose that the best you can give him is a "responsive piece of green fence", but I am convinced that further personal approaches by his constituents would work best, although it may be too late now. Thank you for the hard work being done on our behalf, and I agree wholeheartedly with the pro-active, lobbying approach you folk have taken. To merely make our views known and then hope for the best, as one person suggested in an e-mail to you, might have worked at one time in our political history, but it certainly is not sufficient in this competitive age. Thanks again, Pat Lawson. Richmond, British Columbia <PandP@seanlawson.com> ======================= To all:- Our manner of lobbying, or bugging the politicians works with many. They do the same type of lobbying when they wish to obtain OUR votes. Muriel <davidson3542@home.com>

Dear Mr. Ken Epp, M.P. I have taken your email address off your reply to Mrs. Davidson, and have taken it on my own to urge you to vote YES on the Census question. My father was born in St. Catharines, Ont., Canada. His grandparents came to Canada in 1883. Without the information that has been released at the Archives and earlier Census' I would not have known my Great Grandparents were in Canada and buried in St. Catharines. I would never have known my Grandmother, Elsie Eliza Andrina BERRY/CORNEY was a British Home Child and have been able to trace her and her family back to England. Or traced my father's CORNEY' family back to the Isle of Wight. I am still trying to trace my Great Uncle and my Great Great Grandmother's records in Canada. Without your help in securing for us the right to see these Censuses to find our families, many will not be able to go back and trace their families. But most of all, Thousands of British Home Children will remain unclaimed through eternity. For these children, not of their own volition, were sent to Canada without their families, names changed, birth dates changed to wipe out all background. These children deserve to be claimed and their voices heard. So thank you for your vote of YES to release the census. Thank you on behalf of all the children waiting to be found by the relatives. Patricia Corney Quakertown, PA USA Granddaughter of Elsie Eliza A. BERRY, BHC IOWFHS #1334 bluroc@worldnet.att.net ======================== Following messages forwarded by:- Patricia Corney <bluroc@worldnet.att.net> --------------------- From: "Robert Doak" <robert.doak@sympatico.ca> To: <BRITISHHOMECHILDREN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 1:11 AM Subject: Re: 1901 Census Let us not lose our credibility. The Canadian 1901 census has been available since 1993. What we are concerned about is the release of the 1911 census in 2003. The hurdle is that legislation (or at least regulations) was passed prior to the 1911 census promising to keep the information confidential. We are asking for an amendment so that the 1911 census and later versions can be released on the 92 year schedule to which we have become accustomed. Robert Doak <robert.doak@sympatico.ca> ==================== ----- Original Message ----- From: "Suzanne Brown" <srbrowns@attcanada.net> To: <BRITISHHOMECHILDREN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 1:06 PM Subject: 1901 Census To: Mr Ken Epp M. P. It is very important that the Canadian 1901 Census be open to the Public. Those of us who can trace our Ancestory to a "British Home Child" require this infomation in order to trace our families. Attempting to find out about our ancestors is very frustrating at times and some Government Agencies both in Canada and Great Britain are reluctant to release information, while others bend over backwards to provide assistance. What was done to those Children ranging in age from 3 to 18 should shame both the Government of Canada and the Government of Great Britain. Let's not put another nail in the Coffin by preventing access to their ancestors on the Post-1901 Census. A Former Ontarian Suzanne Brown <srbrowns@attcanada.net> =================== ---- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Hubbard" <hsusan@hotmail.com> To: <bluroc@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 12:19 PM Subject: Release of 1901 Census Info I vote YES to the release of Post-1901 Census Info. I agree, you have the right to know your ancestors, good and bad, otherwise as humans, we will repeat their mistakes. I'd like to be known as an evolving species not a regressing one. Thanks. Susan Hubbard <hSusan@hotmail.com> =====================

To all listers:- Many have not believed there are at least about 7.5 million active researchers and genealogists across Canada. This number is know due to group memberships, research, published books. In addition, there are many "closet" one-family researchers -- the ones who seek only one or two vital facts in their family history. There are many researching descendants of Barnardo and Home Children -- written material is extensive, including NEITHER WAIF NOR STRAY. Descendants are attempting to learn if their grandfather or grandmother had siblings, and the parentage of same. There is one address I have given repeatedly, and that is the CENSUS PENSION SEARCHES UNIT -- upon application, by a family member, or the person, information might be learned for passport, other documents -- from census records as late as 1996!!! I am requesting every reader of this to go to the following: http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm Pick Members of Parliament from YOUR province -- the ones who are fence-sitting or who have not replied -- send them a note. Include your name and address -- but you may also get the old story "You are not my constituent". This is when you send back a message -- let them know their election affected the totals in the government of Canada, e.g. all the Liberals in Ontario who have not replied -- or the Bloc Quebecois in Quebec. YOU pay their salary and pension -- YOU deserve an answer. When you receive any answers please let us know, Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> A great deal of printable, readable information found at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census >>>> Other Sites Keep the Petitions Coming, Please!!

Many thanks for writing, Kevin! At present we have been asking for only a YES or NO answer re support of Jason Kenney's Motion M-160 which, if passed, would ensure the safety of the 1911 and later census records at the National Archives. Senator Lorna Milne's Bill S-15 has passed Second Reading and is now in Committee, and petitions for same are still coming in. If any Member of Parliament read THE MYTHS OF CENSUS by Gordon Watts, and should one have been an enumerator, one would realize the oath was not to write down information at one house, then go to the next one and start a conversation with , "You will never believe what I just learned next door!" Go to <http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census >>>>> Other Sites All items listed are printable, including my Genetically Inherited Diseases one. Very shortly, there may only be TWO colours, GOLD and RED. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Kevin Cummings wrote: > Dear Bill, > In this day and age when we have so many problems requiring deep > and ponderous thought, this census thing should be a really easy call. > I've been chasing my family roots for 13 years and, as a past time, I > don't think there's one better. I know there are lots of arguments from > the privacy gang but let's use some common sense....do you really have > privacy concerns if someone publically and proudly acknowledges your > name as that of their great grandfather in a hundred years? Haven't you > or your children done a little family tree climbing over the years? > There is a very active contingent of genealogists, professional > and amateur, living in Cumberland County. You can see many of them > regularly at the Cumberland County Museum in Amherst where many archival > records are kept and many of them are active on the internet. I'm sure > you are aware of this. > > Please show your support for the release of this valuable research tool. > > Carol Cummings > Springhill, NS

To all:- The subject line is my personal opinion re Stockwell Day and his talk about rejuvenating the government of Canada, etc., etc. To date he has not answered ONE single memo sent to him, either from myself or by others. <day@canadianalliance.ca> Is the e-mail hooked up? Personally, Mr. Day, with many VOTERS from across Canada, and with a very possible fall election on the horizon, you could help yourself by declaring whether YOU support Post-1901 Census Release or if you do NOY -- a Simple YES or NO. Heavens!! You never even replied to the query IF you would support Jason Kenney's Motion M-160 - to be voted on Sept. 26th. Jason has worked long hours for you -- we all know it -- and he deserves your public support. This has not gone unnoticed! Please do not give me the old song about "not my constituent". To quote another Member of Parliament, you are there to serve all of Canada - if you wish votes - rather than one itty-bitty riding. Come on, Stock!! Get with the "in" crowd -- the ones who wish to be re-elected!!! Does it hurt to admit you support something? I am among about 7.5 million voters who might be wondering for whom to vote. Yes, genealogists do vote!!!!! We also read census records!! Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Canada Census Committee http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm

To all: The latest Member of Parliament, JOE CLARK, in the Kings-Hants riding, appears that he cannot afford an internet address -- the Canada Census Committee have him listed as "unavailable". In addition, since he will not commit himself to positively agree to release of Post-1901 Canadian census records, the Nova Scotia portion of the Members of Parliament now has one BLUE ??? Previously, the GOLD look (YES) has been marred by Bill Casey and Wendy Lill as they sit on their little pieces of YES/NO fences. They will not commit themselves -- instead, they toss out comments about John Manley, Privacy Commissioner and others. Not one word about how THEIR Nova Scotian constituents wish them to vote, even on Jason Kenney's Motion M-160. As a former Nova Scotia resident, I would like them to answer YES. Go to <http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm> Find the above-mentioned -- TONS of e-mails might change their minds -- regardless of the riding, He or she represents ALL Nova Scotia. You may copy any letters and replies to me at Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Canada Census Committee

Hi Wayne. Mr. Radwanski's appointment is an interim one and so far as I know he has not yet been sworn in (proper term??). No indication as yet who is to be the permanent appointee. And no indication of how long the interim appointment is for. With his appointment was a statement that it was felt unwise to be without a Privacy Commissioner at this time. I was frankly surprized that Phillips' term was not extended again. Perhaps he was felt too set in his opinion re: access to Census?? Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wayne Cook" <wtcook@idirect.com> To: "Gordon A. WATTS" <gordon_watts@telus.net>; <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, 23 September, 2000 2:20 AM Subject: Re: [CCC-L] A hint of the report contents! Hi Gordon, According to Fridays Toronto Sun Mr. Radwanski appointment is not official yet and there has been some questions raised about him and his association with the Liberal Party, I didn't particularly like what I read about him, even though he says he is his own man. Regards Wayne Cook http://www.waynecook.com (A History Television Approved Site) and your Host for the Simcoe County Genweb page at http://www.waynecook.com/simcoe.shtml Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada 1. Historic Plaques of Ontario 644 Plaques online, part of the Historic Plaques of the World Project, Provincial & State Hosts neededl 2. The Canadian Query Boards at http://www.waynecook.com/bulletin.html ----- Original Message ----- > My Thanks to Elizabeth in Ottawa who forwarded this to me this > afternoon. I have so far been unable to locate it online or through > Hansard but I continue to search. It would appear unfortunate that > Mr. Radwanski appears to be following in Bruce Phillips

Hi Gordon, According to Fridays Toronto Sun Mr. Radwanski appointment is not official yet and there has been some questions raised about him and his association with the Liberal Party, I didn't particularly like what I read about him, even though he says he is his own man. Regards Wayne Cook http://www.waynecook.com (A History Television Approved Site) and your Host for the Simcoe County Genweb page at http://www.waynecook.com/simcoe.shtml Wasaga Beach, Ontario, Canada 1. Historic Plaques of Ontario 644 Plaques online, part of the Historic Plaques of the World Project, Provincial & State Hosts neededl 2. The Canadian Query Boards at http://www.waynecook.com/bulletin.html ----- Original Message ----- > My Thanks to Elizabeth in Ottawa who forwarded this to me this > afternoon. I have so far been unable to locate it online or through > Hansard but I continue to search. It would appear unfortunate that > Mr. Radwanski appears to be following in Bruce Phillips

----- Original Message ----- From: "leonard baillie" <bailliel@home.com> To: "Gordon A. WATTS" <gordon_watts@telus.net> Sent: Friday, 22 September, 2000 6:56 PM Subject: Re: [CCC-L] Letter to Ottawa Citizen If some of these Members of Parliament whom we have voted them in office because they say they are going to do this & that for the people & country. Then they get in office & forget about their promises & the people. If they were put in our places where they did not know who their gparents, ggparents or even better their birth parents were or if they even had any birth brothers or sisters. I think they would be different. You know most of us including myself I am doing this for health reasons. When you get to around the age 50 & the grandchildren start coming or maybe your self or one of your own children get some illness, then you start to think & it is about time you started to find some thing about your ancestry, your birth family. It is just impossible. Phyllis from Calgary ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon A. WATTS" <gordon_watts@telus.net> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 5:43 PM Subject: [CCC-L] Letter to Ottawa Citizen > Greetings All. > > FYI > > Gordon > ============================ > Editor, Ottawa Citizen > > Dear Sir: > > I read with great interest today's article by Jim Bronskill (OC 22 > September 2000 - Panel recommends census data be public). It is > indeed welcome news to many thousands of Canadians seeking access to > Historic Census in order to find their ancestry. > > Many welcomed Mr. Radwanski's appointment as interim Privacy > Commissioner. It would appear, however, that he is following > closely in former Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips' footsteps in > referring to "promises of confidentiality" and "undertakings" that > do not exist. Several months of intensive research by myself, and > others, have failed to find any evidence that such "promises" or > "guarantees" of never ending confidentiality of Census were ever > made. > > Statistics Canada, and former Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips > have been asked several times to produce documentary evidence of > their much touted "promise" and "guarantee" of confidentiality in > perpetuity. They have been asked to prove me wrong in stating "The > Promise does not Exist". To date they have been unable to do so. > It is unfortunate that our elected representatives and government > bureaucrats continue to disseminate information for which there is > no documented evidence. > > Industry Minister John Manley, despite many requests, continues to > hold on to the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic > Census. We call on him to immediately release that Report to the > Public. > > Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net > Canada Census Committee > >

Greetings All. FYI Gordon ============================ Editor, Ottawa Citizen Dear Sir: I read with great interest today's article by Jim Bronskill (OC 22 September 2000 - Panel recommends census data be public). It is indeed welcome news to many thousands of Canadians seeking access to Historic Census in order to find their ancestry. Many welcomed Mr. Radwanski's appointment as interim Privacy Commissioner. It would appear, however, that he is following closely in former Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips' footsteps in referring to "promises of confidentiality" and "undertakings" that do not exist. Several months of intensive research by myself, and others, have failed to find any evidence that such "promises" or "guarantees" of never ending confidentiality of Census were ever made. Statistics Canada, and former Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips have been asked several times to produce documentary evidence of their much touted "promise" and "guarantee" of confidentiality in perpetuity. They have been asked to prove me wrong in stating "The Promise does not Exist". To date they have been unable to do so. It is unfortunate that our elected representatives and government bureaucrats continue to disseminate information for which there is no documented evidence. Industry Minister John Manley, despite many requests, continues to hold on to the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census. We call on him to immediately release that Report to the Public. Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net Canada Census Committee

as a dyed in the wool cynic..lets hope mr. day means honest open two way conversation. when i tell my dog to go lay down..i'm communicating. roz -----Original Message----- From: Gordon A. WATTS [SMTP:gordon_watts@telus.net] Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 9:41 AM To: Roz Griston; CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Communication Hi Roz. It remains to be seen as to whether or not Stockwell Day lives up to his quote about increasing communications. Time will tell on this. So far we have had no response from him on questions regarding Post 1901 Census. John Williams obviously does not believe in communicating with the people. He might do well to take a lesson from Ken Epp from whom I had the following message waiting for me this morning, responding to the message I sent him last night. ====================== Friday, September 22, 2000 8:11 am Ottawa Mr Watts: Thanks for taking the time to respond so fully to me. I appreciate that. And thanks for the encouragement vis-a-vis "representation" as well. I am committed to that, and it is very good to be affirmed in that position. Thanks for the attachments. I will have my assistant print them for me, and it will give me some much-needed (!) airplane reading. Sincerely, Ken Epp, MP Elk Island ========================= It is refreshing to receive a speedy response from a Member of Parliament - especially one that is not my own. It is unfortunate that not more of our elected representative feel this way. If they did, we would have a Scoreboard with no blue question marks indicating no response from our MPs. Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roz Griston" <r_griston@dccnet.com> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, 22 September, 2000 8:45 AM Subject: RE: [CCC-L] Re: How will you vote? i wouldn't count on stockwell day doing any great and sincere communicating. he announced he will not partake in the media scrums outside the house. that he will communicate only by press release. this to me indicates the man does not think on his feet and that his politics and personna are pure propaganda machine. very slick. i wonder how well he is connected with the owners of our national newspapers. if he's well connected we will see his press releases get in the news..if not..the editors/journalists will just scoff at him.. roz

My Thanks to Elizabeth in Ottawa who forwarded this to me this afternoon. I have so far been unable to locate it online or through Hansard but I continue to search. It would appear unfortunate that Mr. Radwanski appears to be following in Bruce Phillips footsteps in referring to "promises of confidentiality" that do not exist. It is gratifying however to get some hint that the Report of the Expert Panel favours allowing access to Historic Census. Now if John Manley would stop sitting on the report and release it to the public we might begin to smile a little. Happy Hunting. Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: Elizabeth To: Gordon A. WATTS Sent: Friday, 22 September, 2000 3:00 PM Subject: A hint of the report contents! Gordon - There was an article by Jim Bronskill in today's Ottawa Citizen that I thought you might not be aware of. I have transcribed it below FYI Elizabeth ========================== Panel recommends census data be public Information would not be available for 92 years By Jim Bronskill A federally appointed panel recommends changing the law to make personal census data available to the public 92 years after it is collected. An insider familiar with the panel's report says members have suggested deleting a provision of the Statistics Act that many argue prohibits disclosure of individual census answers. Adoption of the measure would pave the way for eventual release of data from future population counts. For instance, personal data from the 2001 census would be accessible in 2093. However, the recommendation could also extend to the release of at least some historical data collected by census-takers from 1906 onward. George Radwanski, the interim federal privacy commissioner, confirmed as much during an appearance before a Commons committee yesterday. Mr. Radwanski told MPs he understands the five-member panel, whose report has not been formally released, advocates "simply reviewing previous legislation and making public that historical census data." For years, historians, authors and other researchers could pore over census returns, which were transferred to the National Archives after 92 years. However, that changed in the 1990s when Statistics Canada argued that legislation prohibits it from disclosing returns filed in 1906 and subsequent years. Industry Minister John Manley, the cabinet member responsible for the statistics agency, appointed the expert panel, composed of four academics and a retired judge. The panel submitted its report to Mr. Manley at the end of June, but the minister's office has refused to make the document public. Over the years census-takers have gathered increasingly personal information, touching on religion, fertility and, in the next census, sexual orientation. In his first appearance before a Commons committee, Mr. Radwanski, whose appointment has yet to be confirmed by Parliament, warned against releasing census data gathered under promises of confidentiality. He said that would be a "very, very unhealthy thing," adding "it's very important to address this in a way that does not violate undertakings." The Privacy Commissioner's Office has indicated it would not object to very limited access to the data for legitimate genealogical research. The commissioner's office is also open to the idea of future census data being made available to the public as long as people were told their answers would be released at a later date. However, the office believes the 92-year rule should be lengthened to ensure no personal census information about living individuals is released.

Hi Roz. It remains to be seen as to whether or not Stockwell Day lives up to his quote about increasing communications. Time will tell on this. So far we have had no response from him on questions regarding Post 1901 Census. John Williams obviously does not believe in communicating with the people. He might do well to take a lesson from Ken Epp from whom I had the following message waiting for me this morning, responding to the message I sent him last night. ====================== Friday, September 22, 2000 8:11 am Ottawa Mr Watts: Thanks for taking the time to respond so fully to me. I appreciate that. And thanks for the encouragement vis-a-vis "representation" as well. I am committed to that, and it is very good to be affirmed in that position. Thanks for the attachments. I will have my assistant print them for me, and it will give me some much-needed (!) airplane reading. Sincerely, Ken Epp, MP Elk Island ========================= It is refreshing to receive a speedy response from a Member of Parliament - especially one that is not my own. It is unfortunate that not more of our elected representative feel this way. If they did, we would have a Scoreboard with no blue question marks indicating no response from our MPs. Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roz Griston" <r_griston@dccnet.com> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, 22 September, 2000 8:45 AM Subject: RE: [CCC-L] Re: How will you vote? i wouldn't count on stockwell day doing any great and sincere communicating. he announced he will not partake in the media scrums outside the house. that he will communicate only by press release. this to me indicates the man does not think on his feet and that his politics and personna are pure propaganda machine. very slick. i wonder how well he is connected with the owners of our national newspapers. if he's well connected we will see his press releases get in the news..if not..the editors/journalists will just scoff at him.. roz