Greetings All. FYI Gordon =============================== Ms. Aileen Carroll, MP Dear Ms. Carroll, I am writing in response to an apparent form letter your office recently sent to Mr. Melville R. Andress, a copy of which is copied below. As one of those leading the campaign on the Internet to obtain access to Historic Census records I wish to bring to your attention certain information relating to comments made in this letter, specifically those references made to the Environics Research focus group survey commissioned by Statistics Canada. Your form letter stated: "Although the study has not yet been officially released, early indications are that the study found people objected to retroactively changing legislation to allow disclosure of individual answers. There is in fact little support for releasing the historical data. Most participants felt that the government made a promise of confidentiality and that this should be respected. People who answered those censuses believed their answers would be confidential, and thus it would be a breach to release the information." I have received from Statistics Canada a copy of the Focus Group Survey report and would be more than happy to forward it to you if you should wish. Environics Research conducted six focus group sessions, two in Ottawa, two in Toronto, and two in Montreal. These Focus groups consisted of 10 to 12 participants each for a maximum total of 72. Hardly a number sufficient to warrant statements that Canadian citizens object to allowing access to personal information contained in Historic Census records. The initial statements of the report indicated that: Participants had little or no previous knowledge regarding Census records and policies regarding the release thereof: and The majority of participants saw little or no problem with allowing access to personal information in Census records, 92 or 100 years following collection. It is my considered opinion that the questions in this survey, and the manner in which they were presented, were designed to elicit pre-determined responses. It was only after being fed disputed information regarding the non-existent "promise" of never-ending confidentiality of Census, and mis-interpreted legislation, that opinions of respondents appeared to change. The questions asked in this survey were determined in collaboration with Statistics Canada who have an obvious bias against access. Canadians are essentially a law-abiding people. I would suggest that on any given subject, if respondents to a survey, having no previous knowledge of that subject, were first informed that promises had been made and that legislation existed, and were then asked if those promises should be broken and the legislation ignored, the response would be overwhelmingly negative. The fact is, that while Statistics Canada has promoted the "promise" of never-ending confidentiality, they have been unable to produce any documentary evidence of it's existence. I have asked several times that they "show me the promise". To date they have been unable to do so. On the other hand, my submission to the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census ("The Myths of Census"), previously sent to you, proves conclusively that the "promise" does not exist. Contrary to the assertion of Statistics Canada that transfer of control of Post 1901 Census records to the National Archives is "explicitly prohibited by law", their refusal to do so is actually a "policy decision." This "policy decision" is based on a number of untried legal opinions from different members of Justice Canada. Each of these legal opinions are basically flawed in that they considered only one clause (15.- Secrecy) contained in "Instructions to Enumerators" for the 1906 Census of the Western Provinces. The flaw in these opinions is that they ignore other clauses in those same Instructions that stated that Census had value for historical records, would be deposited in the National Archives, and would be available for future research. These opinions, not having been tested in a Court of the land are strictly that -- opinions. They are not law. For more than two years, citizens/residents of Canada have written letters and email to their elected representatives, to Statistics Canada, to Industry Minister John Manley, to Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and others, urging continued access to Post 1901 Census records, 92 years after collection, as allowed under Regulations attached to the Privacy Act. Statistics Canada last fall indicated they had received more than 3500 email and letters supporting access. Members of Parliament have received untold thousands of letters and email. Petitions have been submitted from various genealogical and historical associations. I have personally sent to MP Murray Calder petitions containing more than 6000 signatures. These petitons were presented to the House this past Spring. I am aware of other petitions to the Senate and the House of Commons containing several thousands of signatures. I continue to receive petitions supporting access to Post 1901 Census records. Should the results of a survey of 72 respondents, being fed mis-information that elicits pre-determined responses, override the concerns of 12,000 to 15,000 and more, who have written letters and email, and signed petitions? I think not!! I urge you to read my submission to the Expert Panel previously sent to you. (I will gladly resend it if it has been lost.) After having read it I would ask of you once more the question: "Would you, as an elected Member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada, vote FOR or AGAINST a Bill supporting release to the Public, of Post 1901 Census Records, 92 years after they were recorded, starting with the 1906 Census?" In regards to my submission to the Expert Panel I would also ask of you: "If you can prove me wrong, please do so." I would appreciate a personal response to this message, not a form letter from your staff that does not deal with the points I have raised, and which only repeats that which I am already aware of. I would very much like to change your position on the MP's Scoreboard from one of "non-committal" to one of "support". Thank you. Sincerely Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net Canada Census Committee 1455 Delia Drive Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2V9 Tel (604) 942-6889 Fax (604) 942-6843 Keep up to date on Post 1901 Census information at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index.htm Join the CANADA CENSUS CAMPAIGN List at CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L-request@rootsweb.com Read my Post 1901 Census column in the Global Gazette http://www.globalgenealogy.com/gazette.htm ============================== Dear Constituent, Thank you for your letter on the issue of release of census data. This matter has been a subject of concern for family history researchers for some time. As you know, Statistics Canada is prohibiting from disclosing census returns filed in 1906 and later. A Private Members' Bill is in the system to amend the privacy legislation, but Statistics Canada has undertaken its own study to ascertain the support among Canadians for incorporating the researchers' and historians' request in government legislation. Although the study has not yet been officially released, early indications are that the study found people objected to retroactively changing legislation to allow disclosure of individual answers. There is in fact little support for releasing the historical data. Most participants felt that the government made a promise of confidentiality and that this should be respected. People who answered those censuses believed their answers would be confidential, and thus it would be a breach to release the information. However, there are yet arguments to be studied on both sides, and I will ensure that your request is seen by Mrs. Carroll for her consideration. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Torobin, Aide to Aileen Carroll, M.P. M. Aileen Carroll, M.P., Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford.