HOUSE OF COMMONS CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES CANADA Paul DeVillers <devilpo@parl.gc.ca> July 21, 2000 Vivian Parliament 476 Park view Ct. Midland, Ontario L4R 5G3 Dear Ms. Parliament: Thank you for your e-mail message from June 11, 2000, regarding the issue of access to historical census records. Recognizing the importance of historical research but also taking into account the privacy concerns of Canadians, the Honourable John Manley, Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, created a few months ago an Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. The Panel's objective is to provide independent, expert advice on the legal, privacy and archival implications of releasing historical census records. The Expert Panel has presented its report to the Minister at the end of June, but the Minister has not yet had a chance to properly review it. The Panel reviewed all relevant documents received to date, and met with key stakeholders to get their views. The Panel also accepted commentaries that cover areas of concern not previously submitted. I personally tend to support the view that since post 1906 census data has been collected under the authority of various Statistics Acts, and that this legislative framework contains strict confidentiality provisions, to permit disclosure of post 1906 census records could be viewed as a betrayal of past statutory guarantees. Thank you again for taking the time to share your views with me. Sincerely, Paul DeVillers, MP Simcoe North ========================== Vivian Parliament <vivnana@mid.igs.net>