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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2000
Minister Tobin Releases the Report from the Expert Panel
on Access to Historical Census Records
Ottawa -- Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, today released the report
from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. In releasing the report, Mr. Tobin conveyed the government's
appreciation to the members of the Expert Panel for their work and for the time and effort they invested in this important matter.
The Minister indicated that the issues at stake are complex and far reaching. The government is committed to protecting the
privacy rights of Canadians who were given an assurance of confidentiality at the time they completed the 1911 Census while, at the
same time, the government must consider the legitimate needs of genealogists and others for access to historical census records.
In light of these concerns the Minister indicated that further broad based consultation with all Canadians is needed.
This consultation will take place as part of the already announced administrative and legislative review of the Access to
Information and the Privacy Acts.
The government's primary reason for undertaking additional consultation is to ensure that, if access to historical census records
is provided, this is done in a manner that respects the government's deep commitment to privacy.
To find out more about the report from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records, please visit the
web site at www.statcan.ca.
For further information, please contact Heidi Bonnell, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Industry at (613) 995-9001.
Ce communiqué est aussi disponible en français.
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