| Name: | Mr. Maurizio Bevilacqua |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Vaughan--King--Aurora |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Telephone: | (613) 996-4971 |
| Fax: | (613) 996-4973 |
| Bevilacqua.M@parl.gc.ca |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 20 Cranston Park Avenue Unit 10 Maple, Ontario L6A 2W2 |
10/07/2002 - email to MP Maurizio Bevilacqua from Gordon A. Watts.
To: MP Bevilacqua, Maruizio Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 11:44 AM Subject: Post 1901 Census legislation Dear Mr. Bevilacqua At long last there has been a public acknowledgement by the Government of Canada that they have an interest in the concerns of Canadians, and others, that seek continuing access to Post-1901 Census records. That acknowledgement took the form of inclusion of a statement in an address of the Hon. Don Boudria, Minister of State and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. The address was made to the Newsmakers Breakfast at the National Press Club, 3 October 2002. It was titled "The Government's Fall Legislative Program". On page four of Mr. Boudria's notes for that address, he states: "Other legislation will also be introduced respecting: The release of 92-year old census records for historical research purposes - which responds to recommendations and work done by parliamentarians in the House and Senate such as MP Calder and Senator Milne;" This acknowledgement of our concerns, on behalf of the government, is welcome news. It does not yet mean, however, that continued public access of Historic Census records has been approved and those records are now available to access for purposes of research. The proposed legislation has not yet been brought down, and it remains to be seen if, when it is brought down, it meets the needs and expectations of those seeking access. Senator Lorna Milne continues to work with the Hon. Allan Rock, Minister of Industry, to ensure that the end result does meet those needs and expectations. I remind you that what we seek is exactly the same unrestricted access to records after 1901 that is currently available for those records up to and including 1901. I currently show you on the MPs Scoreboard of the Post 1901 Census Project website (at the URL following my signature) as "sitting on the fence". You have been given this position by virtue of the fact that you have yet to give a definitive response stating your support, or otherwise, for public access to Historic Census records, 92 years after collection. (Or, at least, that I have seen no such response.) In view of the fact that the Government has now stated it's intention to introduce legislation that will hopefully address our concerns, will you now give a definitive response stating your supportive position for such legislation? I am not one of your constituents, but in writing to you I believe that I speak on behalf of a great many others who are your constituents. As such, I hope that you will afford me the courtesy of a response to this message. In responding to my message with a supportive answer to my question, so that it might be posted to your correspondence log, you would likely save yourself a great many similar requests by others. Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and for responding thereto. Have a great day! Sincerely Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee 1455 Delia Drive Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2V9 09/20/2002 - email to MP Maurizio Bevilacqua from Frank McKerry.
To: Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 2:48 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census Mr. Maurizio Bevilacqua, M.P. Vaughan-King-Aurora: It is noted on the Post 1901 web site that you are on the fence (undecided) on how you are going to vote for this Bill when it comes back to the floor of the House. Have you contacted any of your constituents on this matter ? The people who elected you to represent them in the House ? Many of your constituents are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1906 and 1911 Census and are trying to get family information to complete their family tree and ancestry links. I am not one of your constituents, but I am doing research for family in your riding and your YES vote will assist me in my search. Would you please change you Undecided mark to a YES vote on the 1906 and the 1911 Census release to the Archives Canada ? Respectfully M. Frank McKERRY, C.D. Vernon, B.C. 12/18/2002 - email to Gordon A. Watts from Helene Conroy regarding MP Maurizio Bevilacqua.
To: Gordon A. Watts Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2001 12:37 AM Subject: Reply from Maurizio Bevilacqua, M.P., Vaughan-King-Aurora, Ont. Hi Muriel and Gordon, Yesterday, 17 December 2001, I received the following reply from Maurizio Bevilacqua, M.P. for Vaughan-King-Aurora, Ont., dated 14 NOVEMBER 2001. "Dear Mrs. Conroy: Thank you for your recent letter regarding census reports. I appreciate the time you have taken to make me aware of your views on this issue. I have spoken with officials in the Ministry of Industry, the ministry responsible for Statistics Canada and census data. They have informed me that Statistics Canada will conduct public consultations on the issue of releasing census material after a period of 92 years. These consultations will begin in December and will involve town hall meetings throughout the country. Details will be posted on their website at www.statcan.ca. Following these public consultations, Statistics Canada will report to the Minister of Industry. Thereafter, should the Minister bring forward legislation to amend the Privacy Act, I will give it due consideration. I trust that you will find this information helpful. Sincerely, Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP Vaughan-King-Aurora (He actually signed his letter and penned, "Thank you for your letter!" It is so much more personal than a stamped signature. At least I know that he has "read" my e-mail.) BTW, Mr. Bevilacqua stays on the fence for now - he never answered my question, "Will you support...." Helene Conroy 10/05/2001 - email to MP Maurizio Bevilacqua from Helene Conroy.
To: Maurizio Bevilacqua Sent: Friday, October 05, 2001 12:57 AM Subject: Post 1901 Census Reports Dear Mr. Bevilacqua: As I did not receive an acknowledgement or a reply to my email of 27 August 2001, I am writing you again in hopes of hearing from you as soon as possible. Helene Conroy wrote: "Dear Mr. Bevilacqua: Although I am not one of your constituents, I do feel a sense of urgency to express to you my concern regarding the post 1901 Census reports. I am one of 7.5 million plus Canadians involved in Genealogical research. Myself and millions of citizens, in our quest for our past, for our Canadian heritage, depend heavily upon the information provided in Census reports. It is very important to me that my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and so on, be educated and learn about their ancestors - where they were born, how they lived and what they did for a living. Many of our relatives are dispersed all across the world, and only through the post 1901 Census reports are we able to trace them. It would be wonderful to have family reunions and get to know these precious people. Unfortunately, these family reunions cannot take place because, under current legislation, post 1901 Census reports will not be released to the Public after 92 years, as have been Census reports up to and including 1901. I am asking for your support to amend the legislation which will allow release to the Public of Census records after 92 years, starting with the 1911 Census. As a concerned Canadian citizen, I am asking you the following question: "Would you, as a Member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada, having been placed in that position by the voting citizens of your Constituency, vote FOR or AGAINST a Bill supporting release to the Public of post 1901 Census records after 92 years, starting with the 1906 Census?" I await your answer to this question at your earliest convenience, and thank you for taking the time to read my e-mail. God bless you." Sincerely, Helene Conroy (Mrs.) Ottawa, ON 04/23/2001 - email from MP Maurizio Bevilacqua to Marge MacDonald. Apr. 23, 2001 Thank you for your letter regarding the release of census data. I appreciate your taking the time to inform me of your opinion on this matter. It is important in our democratic system that citizens express their concerns to their elected representatives. I have had the opportunity to discuss your concerns with my colleagues in the House of Commons, as well as with the Minister of Industry, the Minister responsible for Statscan. There are several issues that need to be resolved on the release of census data, and the privacy of census respondents is an important consideration. However, your views are being taken seriously, and I am confident that the government will pursue all available options to accommodate the needs of genealogists. Ultimately, I hope that this matter can be resolved in a way that meets with your approval. Again, thank you for your letter. If I can be of further assistance to you on this, or any other issue, please don't hesitate to contact my office. Sincerely, Maurizio Bevilacqua MP Vaughan-King Aurora 04/30/99- e-mail from The Global Gazette to MP
A web site has been posted at http://globalgenealogy.com/census to record MP's responses, so that those who are interested, will know the position that their elected representative has (or has not expressed) on the issue. Also included on the web site, is a correspondence log for each Member of Parliament, which will contain responses to this e-mail plus any other correspondence from the MP. The Question: "Would you, as an elected Member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada, vote FOR or AGAINST a Bill supporting release to the Public, of Post 1901 Census Records, 92 years after they were recorded. ( 1911 census information available in 2003, 1921 in 2013 etc)" If you would like to expand on your position, your entire response will be posted to your individual correspondence log. The Post 1901 Census web site is sponsored by Global Genealogy & History Bookstore. A vast number of e-mails and calls from subscribers and web site visitors, clearly demonstrates that this issue is extremely important to them. Many readers have expressed that their current MP's position on this issue will weigh heavily in their decision process during the next election. |
|
|
