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From: "Gordon A. Watts" <>
Subject: [ALBERTA] Post 1901 Census - The 'Compromise'
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 20:21:37 -0800


Greetings All.

For some time we have been hearing about a "compromise solution" to the
Census issue that Statistics Canada and former Privacy Commissioner
Bruce Phillips felt would meet the needs of genealogists and historians
seeking access to Post 1901 Census records. Current Privacy
Commissioner George Radwanski has stated that the 'compromise' is
something that he can accept.

It has been mentioned in Hansard for the Senate, recent responses from
MPs and certain Senators mention it, Neil Sheridan and George Radwanski
supported it in Senate Committee hearings in September, and now it has
been used in the Ottawa Town Hall meeting. It might be stretching
things at this point to suggest that the 'compromise' is being 'pushed'
at the Town Hall meetings but copies of it were made available to
everyone attending the meetings, and every presenter was asked if they
could support it. It is my understanding that without exception, every
presenter rejected it out of hand as being too restrictive and
unworkable.

Following the Senate Committee hearings I attended in September I was
able to obtain a copy of the "compromise" and have done a thorough
examination of it. I agree with the assessment of the presenters of the
Ottawa Town Hall meetings. The so-called 'compromise', in my opinion,
is no 'compromise' at all, and in fact is so restrictive as to be little
better than no access at all.

I have done a critique of this document, and included it in my latest
column for the Global Gazette. Because of the length of it I will not
post it in this message. The critique may be accessed at the following
URL.

http://globalgazette.net/gazce/gazce74.htm

Like Environics and Statistics Canada, I am very interested in knowing
how you feel about the so-called 'compromise solution'. After reading
it I would ask that you send me a message stating your feelings about
the 'compromise' suggested. Please limit your comments to what you feel
about the 'compromise' suggested rather than my critique of the various
sections. Place in the subject line of the message only 'Compromise
Solution' without the quotation marks. I have set up filters in my
email program to funnel these messages into a specific folder. My
intention is to send these comments to Environics and/or Statistics
Canada.

My next column for the Global Gazette, which I am writing at this time,
will include a critique of Dr. Ivan Fellegi's presentation to the Senate
Committee. It should be online before the end of the week.

I look forward to your comments. Happy Hunting.

Gordon A. Watts
Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee
Port Coquitlam, BC

http://globalgenealogy.com/Census
en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm

Permission to forward without notice is granted.

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