News Release - April 11, 2002

Legal action against the Federal Government required to obtain our census records

Calgary, AB -- An important piece of Canadian history has been unfolding over the past few months. It will shortly become a matter of widespread public interest and concern.

Prior to the 20th century the Canada Census records have been released to National Archives (after a 92-year moratorium). Genealogists and family historians have found these records of inestimable value in finding their ancestors. However, the Federal Government's Chief Statistician has now arbitrarily declared that he would not release the contents of any census to the public, after the 1901 Census. After 92 years he is concerned about privacy of information!

The family history community across the nation has become enraged at the apparent mismanagement of public records. Tens of thousands of petitions have been signed and dispatched to Ottawa. The petitions support Private Members Bills in the Senate and House of Commons. An all-star Expert Panel appointed by the Government reviewed the matter and recommended release of the post-1901 Censuses. Still the Chief Statistician refuses. No amount of persuasion has moved him. And yet, no opposition has been heard from the general public. None.

Completely fed up with this apparent arrogance, the Alberta Family Histories Society (AFHS) in Calgary has taken legal action. Five of its members with an additional five Canadians, from across the country, filed a Legal Action on February 5, 2002 naming the Chief Statistician and the National Archivist as defendants. Affidavits of defense are to be filed by Monday April 15.

This is an unprecedented action by Canadian citizens and one determined to bring justice into the control of our lives by government.

While this initiative was taken by Calgarians, as members of AFHS, it has been substantially and financially supported by the Alberta Genealogical Society headquartered in Edmonton. So, it is also a provincial initiative.

Considerable additional information is available on the AFHS website at www.afhs.ab.ca (censuses - legal action in the first paragraph of the text).

The legal team is headed by Ms. Lois Sparling, a Calgary lawyer. She can be reached at 403-264-3244 for interview or additional information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CALL BILL CAMPBELL 403-254-2293