Links to Other Census Challenge Websites
1911 Census Bill S-18 Passed
The Federal Government has finally passed new legislation to end the debate over whether or not the public in
generally and family historians in particular are to have unfettered access to the historic census after
92 years. After a long, long struggle for what we thought we already had a legal right to see, this legislation
was passed unanimously in the House of Commons at the end of June, 2005, and given Royal Assent the next day.
It applies to the 1911 census returns, which should have been made public in June 2003, and all census
to and including the 2001 census. We expect to see the 1911 census online at the
Canadian Genealogy Centre Web Site in August.
Microfilm copies of the census returns should be available in larger Canadian libraries about the same time.
The fly in the ointment is a provision in the same legislation which allows Statistics Canada to include an opt
in box on each return for the 2006 and 2011 census. This means people filling in the census returns will be
explicitly guaranteed that their census form will never be available to researchers unless they tick the box,
opting in to plans to make census returns available after 92 years. Remember that, typically, only one member
of a household fills in the census form and will be making this decision for all members of that household.
This is supposed to be "informed consent" by all members of the household to having the census return made
public 92 years later. Obviously, children will not have given their informed consent to release or not release
their census information. Typically, other members of the household will not be involved in the decision, either.
Therefore, the goal of obtaining informed consent from Canadians for the release of the census return related to
themselves beginning in 2006 is a sham; window dressing at best.
The battle for access to the historic census has been won but our campaign is not over. The integrity of all
future census as complete historic records of the people of Canada is being violated. Even if the public really
is fully informed about the value and importance of making the census returns available for research, there is
likely to be a significant minority who will, for whatever reason, neglect or refuse to opt into release of their
document after 92 years. The characteristics of that group and their entire households will be lost forever.
Personally, I would rather see a longer delay for the release of the future census returns (150 years?) than
have the completeness of this material as a record of the ENTIRE nation compromised. Others active in the Census
Release Campaign see no justification for a waiting period of more than 92 years.
The new legislation provides for a review of the opt in clause issue after the 2006 and 2011 census have been
taken. We would like to save the 2011 census if we can by pressing our case after the results are in for the 2006 census.
So stay tuned. This isn't over yet.
Lois Sparling
Calgary, Alberta
AFHS Census Challenge Heats Up!
1911 Census Challenge (see also
1906 Census transcription
project)
Make your request for 1911 Census data! It is 92 years since the
1911 Census was conducted. Apply for information via a Freedom
of Information request (small charge applies). If refused, submit
complaints re the refusal to the Information Commissioner. More information
from our Census Challenge Coordinator, Lois Sparling (Contact).
Latest information on the 1911 Census Challenge see Post 1901 Census Challenge Site
April 2003 - now working on earnest to get the information from
the 1911 Census released - Read the submission made by Alberta
Genealogical Society, Alberta Family Histories Society and the Jewish
Genealogical Society (Southern Alberta) Submission
to the Senate on Bill S-13.
Feb 2003 - 1906 Census released to the public. images placed
online at the National Archives website. Alberta Family Histories
Society coordinates national transcription
effort.
Aug 2002 - Cross Examinations have been completed. We are
preparing a motion for leave to amend our Application to add
a request for Declaratory relief (a judicial declaration that
the law permits the National Archivist to allow public access to
the 1906 census) as well as Mandamus (an order compelling
public access to the 1906 census)
June 2002 - The National Archives of Canada shows it's implicit
support for making census materials available by putting the entire
1901 census
online (installation of free plug-in software - MrSid - required).
19 Apr 2002 - Read the
Environics
Report on the TownHall & Focus Group Meetings.
15 Apr 2002 - Calgary Solicitor & AFHS Member, Lois
M. Sparling, was served with Affidavits on behalf of the National
Archives and Statistics Canada. The lawyers are discussing dates
for cross examinations.
5 Feb 2002 - Lois Sparling, conducts
Legal Action against Chief Statistician of Statistics Canada,
et al on behalf of Beatty & 10 other Plaintiffs. Details also
in Chinook Vol 22, No. 2!
5 February 2002 -Calgary Solicitor & AFHS Member, Lois
Sparling, conducts Legal Action
against Chief Statistician of Statistics Canada, et al on behalf
of Beatty & 10 other Plaintiffs. Read the text
of the Legal Action and our news
release (April 11, 2002).
The Problem
There
is a real danger that, unless strong, concerted, ongoing action
is taken, it will be impossible for Canadians to ever have access
to any Canadian census subsequent to that of 1901. If it IS released,
watch us party
like the Americans did at the recent release of the US 1930
census records!
Update - April 2002
Wow - Our own Lois Sparling's, Barrister & Lawyer, is
working with 11 genealogcal plaintiffs in a Legal
Action against the Chief Statistician, Ivan, Fellegi,
et al. Read all about it!
Update - February 2001
The last year of the campaign to obtain the release of Canadian
censuses has been a roller-coaster ride with almost as much
soaring optimism and crushing heartbreak as the stock market.
... more
Update - December 2000
Expert
Panel Report
Update - March 2000
Things seem to be moving. The last few months have seen a
general increase in the activity associated with the census
issue, and it is beginning to get much more media coverage,
due to the involvement of the heavyweights from the Canadian
Historical Association, and some very ill advised public comments
about historians from a certain Senator who shall be nameless.
... more
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Why is this Happening?
In 1906 the revised law concerning the census put a new emphasis
on privacy, and this is being used (incorrectly, we believe)
for secreting the census from the public eye. ... more
What the AFHS is doing
Our Society has established a workgroup
to support in every way that we can the efforts of those who
want line-by-line census data to continue to be available
to the Canadian public. ... more
What Needs to be Done to Save the Census
In simple terms, those of us who oppose the actions of StatsCan
and the Privacy Commissioner concerning the release of census
information to the public must now do one of two things (or
both). ... more
What You Can Do
Write a letter requesting that the recipient support, in
any way they can, whatever legal and parliamentary measures
prove to be necessary to allow the continued release of nominal
census data to the public. ... more
What you Must NOT Do
Ignore the problem, or leave it up to others to deal with.
If our efforts are insufficient, we and those who follow us
will no longer be able to use the census for our genealogical
research - ever. ... more
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