Makes you wonder, which party really has a "SECRET AGENDA," doesn't it. Juanita MacDonald Jim Thatcher wrote: > I received the email message below today. It was an answer to a June 2 > email message to the three main candidates in Simcoe Grey riding in > Ontario. I have copied my message below. > It looks as though the Chief Statistician wrote the reply himself. The > same old stuff we have heard before. > Jim > > Dear Jim, > > This is the position that I received from the Liberal Party this > afternoon. > > There was considerable debate with regard to Bill S-13 and this is a > summary of some of the arguments in favour of protecting census data.In > regards to Clause 8 being altered, there are some strong reasons why > this data will not to be released to the general public.They are as > follows: > > In the past personal census data has not been released to anyone prior > to a 92-year waiting period. > The Privacy Commissioner of Canada who made detailed submissions to the > Expert Panel on this issue argued, when information is to be released > for the purposes other than those for which it was collected, individual > consent is required. > Statistics Canada relies on public cooperation and is thus concerned > with preserving the integrity of Canadas statistical system.Statistics > Canada is based on an unconditional promise of confidentiality. > An Environics poll, demonstrated that Canadians had concerns with the > proposed legislation and the release of their personal data and they > would be less likely to participate in the census, if their information > was made public. > Specifically, clause 8 is designed to prevent legal difficulties from > arising with respect to future censuses.It is intended to ensure that, > in the future, Canadians will be asked to give their prior consent to > having their records stored in the National Archives. > It is unknown how many Canadians will opt out, but it is presumed it > will be low.Example: Stats Can did a Community Health Survey and less > that 5% of respondents declined to allow their information to be > released to local authorities. > For the most part this information is kept confidential in order to > allow Statistics Canada to continue its work effectively and with the > assistance of Canadians. > This is the information that I have been able to obtain to date. I have > discussed this issue with Mr. Bonwick and he would like to see the > release of the data from the 1911 census. He has been in touch with a > number of officials requesting the expeditious release of that material. > > Kind Regards, > Nancy > Nancy Knight- > Constituency Assistant to > The Honourable Paul Bonwick, P.C., M.P. > Simcoe-Grey