1911 Canadian Census to Be Released

After a 7-year struggle by Canadian genealogists, bill S-18, which allows public access to 1911 census records, has finally become law. The bill authorizes the immediate release of the 1911 census, and also allows for the release of other 20th-century censuses 92 years after they are taken. The hard-earned victory has not come without price, however.

Beginning with the 2006 Canadian census, individuals will need to give consent for their census information to be released 92 years later. If they decline or choose not to answer that question, their information will be kept private forever - a big loss to future generations of genealogists.

The Library and Archives of Canada has already scanned the 1911 census records and plans to put them online by early August.

If you're interested in the history behind this great genealogy victory, you can read more about the long fight to release the 1911 Canadian Census records at Global Genealogy. Information on access to other Canadian census records can be found in the Canadian Census section of this site.