16 October 2000 Rt. Honourable Jean Chretien Prime Minister of Canada Sir: As someone representing thousands, perhaps millions, of Canadian citizens who seek their ancestry, and their Canadian Heritage through information available in Historic Census Records, I am greatly concerned about media reports this past weekend that the Hon. John Manley, an elected representative of the people and current Minister of Industry, will likely be replaced by Brian Tobin, current Premier of Newfoundland, perhaps as early as tomorrow. Aside from my personal objection to an individual who has not been elected being placed as one of the leaders of the country, I am greatly concerned regarding the disposition of the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records commissioned by the Hon. John Manley 12 November 1999. Sir, I submit for your consideration the following; * Statistics Canada refuses to relinquish control of past Census records to the National Archives * The major objection of Statistics Canada in this refusal is based upon a "promise" of never ending confidentiality they claim was made by the Government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier in 1905/06. * Despite many requests to do so, neither Statistics Canada nor previous Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips have been able to produce any documented proof that any such "promise" was ever made. * Regulation 6.(d) attached to the current Privacy Act provides for Census records that have been transferred to the control of the National Archives to be "disclosed to any person or body for research or statistical purposes" 92 years following collection. *As a result of lobbying by thousands of Canadian citizens, others living elsewhere but having "roots" in Canada, and Historical and Genealogical societies, the Expert Panel was commissioned by the Hon. John Manley to study and make recommendations regarding access to Historic Census Records. * The Report of the Expert Panel was presented to the office of John Manley 30 June 2000, one month later than the original date expected. Despite numerous requests to release this Report to the public, Mr. Manley has yet to do so. We see no reason for his reluctance to release the Report. * Media reports indicate that newly appointed Privacy Commissioner George Radwanski told a Committee of the House that the Report of the Expert Panel recommended allowing public access to Historic Census Records. *Access to Historic Census records has been subject of discussion since the early 1970s, a period of some thirty years. During this period a number of prominent individuals and reports have recommended allowing public access to those records. * News of the possible replacement of John Manley by Brian Tobin, and the likelihood of an impending election could not have come at a worse time for those of us who have worked constantly for the past three years to obtain access to Historic Census Records. We had thought we were close to reaping the fruits of our labour. It is my assumption that there has been considerable work done "behind the scenes" by Mr. Manley, and others seeking to address the concerns of we who wish access to Historic Census. There is concern that with the expected imminent election that work will be lost. Mr. Prime Minister, I call upon you to do the following: * Take immediate steps, today, to have the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records released to the public. Please do so before any removal of John Manley from the position of Minister of Industry takes place. * Assuming the return of a Liberal Government after the expected election, bring forward the assumed work done by Mr. Manley, and others, relating to access to Historic Census. * Again assuming the return of a Liberal Government, make Access to Historic Census a priority, and bring down an early Bill to allow that access, prior to collection of the 2001 Census. Mr. Prime Minister, I am certain that you will give most serious consideration to the points and suggestions listed above. For that you have my most sincere thanks. I would very much appreciate an early, and personal response to this message. Respectfully, 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