To all:- The following was received by Melville Andress and forwarded to the Canadian Census Committee. I believe Ms. Aileen Carroll may have directed her aide to reply -- but is it the Member of Parliament's true feeling on this matter? Suggested reading for Assistants/Aides who reply for Members of Parliament should be:- THE MYTHS OF CENSUS by Gordon Watts -- sent to all MPs http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html MEMORANDUM OF LAW by Lois Sparling, Alberta barrister http://www.waynecook.com/simcoe.shtml AFTER reading the above research articles, possibly a COPY might not be necessary -- but a true response from the ELECTED person. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Canadian Census Committee ====================================== Dear Constituent, Thank you for your letter on the issue of release of census data. This matter has been a subject of concern for family history researchers for some time. As you know, Statistics Canada is prohibiting from disclosing census returns filed in 1906 and later. A Private Members’ Bill is in the system to amend the privacy legislation, but Statistics Canada has undertaken its own study to ascertain the support among Canadians for incorporating the researchers’ and historians’ request in government legislation. Although the study has not yet been officially released, early indications are that the study found people objected to retroactively changing legislation to allow disclosure of individual answers. There is in fact little support for releasing the historical data. Most participants felt that the government made a promise of confidentiality and that this should be respected. People who answered those censuses believed their answers would be confidential, and thus it would be a breach to release the information. However, there are yet arguments to be studied on both sides, and I will ensure that your request is seen by Mrs. Carroll for her consideration. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Torobin, Aide to Aileen Carroll, M.P. M. Aileen Carroll, M.P., Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford.