Greetings All. FYI. My letter to the National Post. Gordon --------------------------- Editor, National Post. Re: Keep census data secret, public tells Ottawa. Dear Sir As one of those actively campaigning to obtain access to Historic Census records after 92 years as per Regulations attached to the Privacy Act of Canada, I am understandably upset with the report of Jim Bronskill. ( NP 20 June 2000, p. A11) Having received thousands of email and letters in the past few years from those who support access to Historic Census, I dispute the findings of the Environics Research Group survey. I have grave concerns that the questions in that survey were skewed so as to obtain a pre-determined response. The fact that this article refers to "census data ..... gathered under promises of confidentiality", and "breaking a promise" is proof of that skewing of questions. Any mention of a promise, or of breaking such a promise, contained in questions of the survey would show a bias towards the answers sought by Statistics Canada. In preparation for my submission to the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census records I spent several months of dedicated research seeking the "promise" upon which Statistics Canada bases their position of non-disclosure of Historic Census. My submission, titled "The Myths of Census" proves conclusively that the "promise" does not exist. Statistics Canada, and Privacy Commissioner have been asked to "show me the promise." I have asked them to prove me wrong in saying "the promise does not exist." To date they have been unable to do so. On 2 June 2000, Liberal MP Murray Calder presented to the House of Commons our petition containing more than 6000 signatures. Numerous other petitions containing untold thousands of signature have been presented in both the House of Commons, and the Senate. Thousands, perhaps millions, of Canadians anxiously await the report of the Expert Panel. We are confident that after having studied all the facts, their report will favour allowing access to these records. Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net Canada Census Committee P.S. For your information, and as proof of my statements above, I have attached the files of my printed submission to the Expert Panel to this message. At your request I will provide for you a CD containing all the files of supporting documentation mentioned in Appendix 4, and more. If you are interested in balanced news reporting you will read my submission. I extend the same invitation to you that I have to Statistics Canada and Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips -- "If you can prove me wrong, please do so."