CENSUS-CHAT-L Archives

Archiver > CENSUS-CHAT > 2002-01 > 1010513131


From: "Gordon A. Watts" <>
Subject: Post 1901 Census - Halifax Town Hall meetings
Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2002 10:05:31 -0800


Greetings all.

I have had some reports from those who attended the Town Hall Meetings on
Monday, with some more to come. A number of those writing me have expressed
the opinion that the first two speakers of the afternoon session, who spoke
against access, were government 'plants'. I do not yet know their names or
positions but at this time I am led to believe that they were employees of a
statistical agency of the Nova Scotia Government.

I know for a fact that for the Ottawa meetings, a Privacy researcher and
consultant was 'invited' to appear and speak. He contacted me before the
meeting to advise me of his 'invitation'. It must have been a shock to
StatCan to find that this individual did not come out in opposition to
access of the 1906 and 1911 Censuses.

We will be watching with interest to see how many other meetings have
'invited' participants, particularly those who who work for the various
statistical agencies of the governments, either federally or provincially.
So much for the stated desire to hear the opinions of 'ordinary' Canadians.

Some writers have expressed the opinion that they might like to speak at
these meetings but feel others from various academic or
historical/genealogical societies can do a better job. To those who might
feel this way, my response is to say 'go for it!' Your opinion is just as
valid as anyone else's, and as 'ordinary' Canadians, it is your opinion that
is sought by the bureaucrats of StatCan. Don't let any of these meetings
proceed without sufficient speakers to fill the alloted time slots.

Please keep us informed regarding your participation, and what happens at
the meetings.

Happy Hunting.

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

http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index.htm
en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm



This thread: