2006 Canadian Census rolls out March 13 .....

[paddyscar]

Statistics Canada will release the results of the 2006 census. Included in that information will be the number of people who completed the census, but opted out of having their identifiable information released in 2098.

This is the first time Canadians were given an option about having their personal information ever released. That means future generations of genealogists will have a lesser tool to search their ancestors for 2006, anyway.

If you wish to check it out on Tuesday,
Statistics Canada www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/070309/a070309.htm
Globe & Mail www.theglobeandmail.com/
Toronto Star www.thestar.com/default

[sheilajim]

Hi Paddyscar

How was opting out of never having your statistics open to be read in the future, done? Did you have to check a box to refuse your census statistics ever being read? Or did you have to check a box to give permission to having your information available in one hundred years?

I think that it is important which way it was done, because most people wouldn't bother to put a checkmark in a box one way or another.

Regards

Sheila

[paddyscar]

Hi Sheila:

The question was part of the list of census questions to be answered for each person listed in the household "Does this person agree to make his/her 2006 Census information available for public release in 2098 (92 years after the census)?" Yes / No

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census0 ... change.cfm

Personally, in 2098, I won't be worrying about who's bothering to look. I think that it is a shame that part of our history will be lost.

Frances

[sporran]

Hello Frances,


interesting wording of the question! The permission refers to release in one specific year, so perhaps other dates in the future do not have the same restriction. Were there supplementary comments, or even promises from the government?


Regards,

John

[sheilajim]

Hi Frances

Regarding the question. What happens if the box was not checked? Was the questionnaire sent back to be completed? If not, was this taken as a sign of approval or disapproval?

I believe that this is important.

Regards

Sheila

[paddyscar]

interesting wording of the question! The permission refers to release in one specific year, so perhaps other dates in the future do not have the same restriction. Were there supplementary comments, or even promises from the government?

Hi John:
What the legal arguments about the wording of the question will be, may be determined more by the pre-amble, than the question itself. The postscript indicates that StatsCan will hand over the info in 2098 to the National Library and Archives and retain the records of those who did not give permission for their personal information to be released.

This explains the options and shows the question and how it appeared. To the left of this box each person was to be identified by name and personal information provided. There is even an option to verify or change your permission.
http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census0 ... rsonal.cfm

Frances

[paddyscar]

What happens if the box was not checked? Was the questionnaire sent back to be completed? If not, was this taken as a sign of approval or disapproval?

Hi Sheila:
I don't know the answer to that, but I will TRY TO REMEMBER to search out the answer, barring any 'senior moments'
Frances

[paddyscar]

Hi Sheila:

What happens if the box was not checked? Was the questionnaire sent back to be completed? If not, was this taken as a sign of approval or disapproval?

If the box agreeing to the release of personal information was not checked, the information will not be released into the public domain at the end of 90 years.

Frances

[sheilajim]

Hi Frances

Thank you for remembering and giving me the information.

That is what I was worried about. This means that everyone who doesn't care one way or the other, and/or can't be bothered to check the box won't have their information released.

This gives the advantage to the people (and I know that there are some) who would like all this kind of information never to be released.

Regards

Sheila