Greetings All. As I start to write this it is 6:00 AM Pacific Time. I was awakened at 5:30 AM to the sound of my fax line ringing. I was not upset, however, as the incoming fax was the long awaited response from the Information Commissioner to our complaints regarding the refusal of Statistics Canada to return control of the 1911 Census records. It took almost 30 minutes for some 40 pages to be received. The most important of the pages received was a two page letter signed by the Hon. John M. Reid. In that letter the Information Commissioner advises that he "found access to the withheld records is authorized pursuant to paragraph 19(2)(c) of the Access to Information Act by reference to subsection 8(3) of the Privacy Act and section 6 of the Privacy Regulations." Mr. Reid further stated "On June 22 and July 22, 2004, I recommended that SC release the requested schedules. However, on August 24, 2004, The Honourable David Emerson, the Minister of Industry, informed me that he does not intend to follow my recommendation." Mr. Reid sought permission to apply to the Federal Court on my behalf for a review of the refusal by the Minister of Industry to release the records is question. He indicated that there were 90 complaints made by 90 individual complainants and that he intends to bring one application for review before the Federal Court seeking relief for the benefit of all complainants who have provided their constent. Copies of all signed consent forms will be filed with the Court as part of this application. By the time you read this the Information Commissioner's responses to all 90 complainants should be in the mail. I cannot stress strongly enough the importance of signing the consent forms to be received. Please return them to the Information Commissioner as soon as possible -- preferably by return mail. Perhaps as you do this you could drop me a line to advise that you have responded to the Information Commissioner's request. I am extremely pleased by the response received from the Information Commissioner. It was worth waiting for. On the other hand I am disappointed that virtually the first act of the Hon. David Emerson, newly elected Member of Parliament and newly appointed Minister for Industry, was to refuse to follow the recommendations of Mr. Reid. This is one more step closer to realizing our immediate goal of access to the 1911 National Census of Canada, and eventual release of subsequent Censuses. We must, however, continue our efforts by signing petitions and contacting our parliamentary representatives to advise of our concerns in this matter. With your help we will succeed. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-chair Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f Permission to forward without notice is granted