françaisSeeking access to 1911 Census Records The date of the National Census of Canada for 1911 was effective the first day of June. The Privacy Act and Regulations attached thereto specify that records of Census may be made available to any person or body for purposes of research, 92 years after collection. Therefore, records of the 1911 National Census of Canada should be made accessible to the public after 1 June 2003. This has not yet happened, therefore it is suggested that those interested in accessing these records submit Access to Information requests to Statistics Canada and the National Archives. Under current legislation, only those people resident in Canada are eligible to make a request under ATI. An Access to Information request may be made simply by writing a letter, however there is an Access to Information Request Form available by clicking this link . The form may be filled out while online and then printed for mailing, or may be printed out and completed manually prior to being mailed. It is not necessary to provide a great deal of information regarding your request. Something along the lines of the following should be sufficient. Feel free to use your own wording: As a family historian and genealogist I have a requirement to view and obtain information regarding my ancestors from Historic Census Records. The Privacy Act of Canada, and Regulations attached thereto, provide that information from Census may be made available to any person or body, for purposes of research, 92 years after collection. This message is to be considered my Request, under the Access to Information Act, for access to schedules of the 1911 National Census of Canada. Thank you There is a $5.00 charge for making a request under Access to Information. Enclose a check made out to the Receiver General of Canada with each request. Based on past performance, Statistics Canada will not refund this payment if the request is refused. National Archives may refund the fee but this is not a certainty. Mail your requests to:
Government departments are required to respond within 30 days of receipt of an ATI request. It is expected that all requests made at this time for the 1911 Census records will be refused. On being advised of this refusal, the next step is to submit complaints to the Information Commissioner. There is no charge for submitting such a complaint. Complaints to the Information Commissioner should detail when your request was made, specifically what was requested, and the date of refusal. Quote any file number included in the notice from Statistics Canada. Mail your complaint to: The Information Commissioner of Canada It would be appreciated if you would send copies of your ATI request, response received from Statistics Canada, and your complaint to the Information Commissioner to: Gordon A. Watts |