I subscribe to a genealogy newsgroup and someone has posted there a link to 
a result from the Canadian Census in 2006.

Canadians were asked:

"The following question is for all persons who usually live here including 
those less than 15 years old. If you are answering on behalf of other 
people, please consult each person.

53

The Statistics Act guarantees the confidentiality of your census 
information. Only if you mark "YES" to this question will your personal 
information be made public, 92 years after the 2006 Census. If you mark "NO" 
or leave the answer blank, your personal information will never be made 
publicly available.

Does this person agree to make his/her 2006 Census information available for 
public release in 2098 (92 years after the census)?"

"Beginning with the 2006 Census, people in Canada will be asked to consent 
to public access to their census records 92 years after the census. For 
those who give explicit permission, Statistics Canada will transfer their 
information to Library and Archives Canada in 2098, which in turn will make 
it publicly available. For those who do not give permission, their personal 
information will not be transferred."

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/reference/info/personal.cfm

This refers to the Statistics of Canada Act with various amendments

http://www.statcan.ca/english/about/statact.htm

 "Census taken between 1910 and 2005

18.1 (1) The information contained in the returns of each census of 
population taken between 1910 and 2005 is no longer subject to sections 17 
and 18 ninety-two years after the census is taken.

Census in 2006 or later

(2) The information contained in the returns of each census of population 
taken in 2006 or later is no longer subject to sections 17 and 18 ninety-two 
years after the census is taken, but only if the person to whom the 
information relates consents, at the time of the census, to the release of 
the information ninety-two years later."

I am intrigued at the fact that babies and young children are assumed to be 
consulted about their response to this question.
56% of Canadians agreed for their information to be published in 92 years 
time. The remainder said No or left the box blank.

I would be interested to know the history of this, if anyone can help.

The decision is not final as people can change their mind (either way) and 
inform Statistics Canada accordingly - but, of course, when it matters (ie 
in 92 years time) they are all going to be mostly dead - which was the point 
of the time limit in the first place.

Nick Landau 

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