Greetings All. Unfortunately I have experienced another delay in obtaining the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records. Because I knew the Report was sitting on John Manley's desk I sent my original Access To Information Request, along with my check for $5.00, to the ATIP officer of Industry Canada. This request was directed to "Industry Canada - Statistics Canada - Minister of Industry" and requested both the Report of the Expert Panel and the Report of the Environic Research Opinion Survey results. After sending my request, the Environics Research Survey report was posted to the Statistics Canada website and so the second part of my request was satisfied. A little over a week ago I received a letter, dated 6 September 2000, from an ATIP coordinator in Industry Canada that stated "Departmental officials have informed us that the report you are seeking is posted on the Statistics Canada website (www.statcan.ca/eng/census96/interm). As the relevant document is publicly available, the information is excluded pursuant to section 68(a) of the Act." The URL given is for the Report of the Environics Research Survey results, and does not include the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census, which was my primary concern. After a game of telephone tag I finally made contact with the Industry Canada ATIP person whom I was advised to contact if I had questions and advised her that in my opinion my request had not been fulfilled in that the Report of the Expert Panel was not yet publicly available. I was advised that she would check things out further and get back to me. On Friday last I received a telephone call from her advising me that she was unable to fulfil my request as it was basically out of her jurisdiction and that my check would be returned. She indicated that I would have to submit a new ATI request directly to Statistics Canada. While she was very friendly and apologetic she said there was nothing further that she could do. While according to the Access to Information Act I feel my original request could have been re-directed to Statistics Canada, thus avoiding further unnecessary delay, there was little to gain by arguing the point with her. On Friday afternoon, therefore, I mailed another ATIP Request, complete with check, to Statistics Canada. I even paid the exorbitant extra postage to ensure the request was delivered within two working days. At the same time I sent an email to Mary Ledoux, ATIP coordinator for Statistics Canada, advising her that the ATI request was on the way. Much to my surprize, within an hour or so I received a return email from her stating "I will deal with your request when I receive it, as quickly as I can, so that you will have a formal response." I had not expected a response until after the weekend. I might say here that in my dealings with Statistics Canada I have an excellent rapport with both Mary Ledoux and Pamela White. In my many requests of them I have normally received prompt and courteous responses and at this time our communications are normally on a first name basis. While the answers given are not always the ones I seek, I always receive an answer. Because I have requested the Report of the Expert Panel under ATI does not necessarily mean that I will receive it. Under the Access to Information Act they may refuse to disclose any record requested if it is expected to be published within 90 days after the request is made. I would hope that my request would not be refused on this basis, unless the report is to be immediately posted to the Statistics Canada website, however it is a possibility that must be considered. The main purpose of my request has been, however, to hasten the release of this report to the Public. If that happens then my purpose has been satisfied. In my opinion, immediate release of this Report is imperative. I say this because of recent media reports that there may be an imminent Cabinet shuffle, and John Manley is mentioned as one who may be moved to a different portfolio. The possibility of a looming Federal election also makes the release of this Report imperative. I have hopes that we will see some action (legislative or otherwise) taking place prior to the next election. Happy Hunting Gordon