| Name: | Mr. Ray Bonin |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Nickel Belt |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Telephone: | (613) 995-9107 |
| Fax: | (613) 995-9109 |
| Bonin.R@parl.gc.ca |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 1475 Highway 69 North Unit 2 Val Caron, Ontario P3N 1M7 |
10/09/2002 - letter from MP Raymond Bonin to Garth Wunsch.
October 9, 2002 Garth Wunsch Lively, Ontario Dear Mr. Wunsch, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your October 4 e-mail, expressing your thanks towards a recent government announcement on their goal to refelease post 1901 census material. Thank you for taking the time to advise me of your interest on this issue. I am also happy to see that the government seems prepared to take an active role in releasing this much-anticipated information. You can rest assured that I will continue to lobby my government for the release of this information in a timely manner. Once again, thank you for your kind words. Please accept my kindest regards. Raymond Bonin 09/20/2002 - email to MP Ray Bonin from Frank McKerry.
To: Ray Bonin, MP Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 3:48 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census Mr. Ray Bonin, M.P. Nickel Belt: It is noted on the Post 1901 Census Site that you have not replied to their request to support the Vote in the House on the release of the Post 1901 Census from Statistics Canada to Archives Canada and make them available to the public. The request was for a Yes, No or Undecided at this time. You have failed to reply to any of the many request for your answer. The Committee running this campaign would like to have an answer from you, so that they can gauge their strength on this Bill that will be once again coming back to the floor of the House. Have you taken the opportunity to ask any of your constituents about this Bill ? Many of them are waiting after many years of stand-offs, put-offs, and rangling with the Director of Statistics Canada, who has tried every way he can to block the release of these Census. Would you please take a minute and answer if you are in favour of this Bill and will support it, or will vote against it, when it comes to the floor of the House ? Many of your constituents that sent you to the House to represent them are awaiting the release of these Census to complete their family tree and ancestry, please don't let them down. Not being one of your constituents, but researching family in your area, the vote you make will have an effect on me and many others in Canada and around the world, so please vote YES. Respectfully M. Frank McKerry C.D. Vernon, B.C. 08/27/2001 - email to MP Ray Bonin from Helene Conroy.
To: Ray Bonin: MP Sent: Monday, August 27, 2001 7:06 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census Reports Dear Mr. Bonin: 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 08/02/2001 - email sent to MPs Jean Chrétien, Brian Tobin, Diane Marleau, and Ray Bonin from Gary Boivin.
To: The Right Hon. Jean Chrétien; The Hon. Brian Tobin; The Hon. Diane Marleau; Mr. Ray Bonin Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 5:52 PM Subject: Fw: [Ont] Post 1901 Census - Liberal MPs being dictated to????? The Right Hon. Jean Chrétien The Hon. Brian Tobin The Hon. Diane Marleau Mr. Ray Bonin I am forwarding the letter below that was posted on the internet. I'm sending you all the same letter as you are all, in a way, representing me and my interests. Now I realize that this letter is most likely being read by a secretary that filters the correspondences to our members of parliament -- If it is your decision that MY Representatives NOT hear my voice then I will promise to remember this slighting the next time I mark an X on a ballot. Different genealogy groups, researchers, and historical associations in Canada and the US have mounted a campaign to have the Directors of Stats Canada ordered to handle the Census data from the Post 1901 Censuses as they did with the data from the Pre-901 Census and before. There was a "taxpayer-paid-for" inquiry into this (Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records) and the decision was to go against Stats Canada's Chief Statistician, Dr. Ivan Fellegi's advice and to treat the post 1901 Census data in the same way as it had always been done. The list of members from this advisory board along with their credentials can be found by clicking on the following Government of Canada link: http://www.statcan.ca/english/census96/cv.htm#1 Then along comes Mr. Tobin... Quitting provincial politics and returning to the Federal scene. This man tells ALL the people who had been involved with this "taxpayer-paid-for-research" that they are idiots... That everything is going to go "my way". In my opinion... If Mr. Tobin is going to rule against a democratic, public process, then he should have to pay, out of his own pocket, for the costs of the inquiry and then resign his seat because he does not represent the views of all the Canadians that had an input into the decision. In the past I've heard Mr. Tobin on the CBC News saying that he doesn't take threats. Well I don't threaten... I promise... The last time I voted, the Liberals got my vote... But you won't next time... Unless you change your ways and start listening to Canadians... NOT the bureaucrats. In all the letters sent out to the MP's (which many have yet to respond to) by the different groups, all the MP's were asked to poll their constituents --- from the quickness of some responses, they were quick 3 minute polls. To you Mr. Tobin... The next time Dr. Ivan Fellegi offers poor advice... ask him who his legal advisor is. And another thing... I know how to fire politicians but how can I... a lowly taxpayer, get Dr. Ivan Fellegi fired for not representing my views? I should be able to get rid of him... just as I'd get rid of a carpenter that was doing a lousy job -- why should I have to pay for shoddy work! I have my doubts if Dr. Ivan Fellegi presented ALL the facts about the "Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records" to you Mr. Tobin or if he briefly summarized it and dismissed it off the cuff. I would advise you to read it... Or at least go to the internet sites and see what is being said about you and your Party. Should you wish to see some of the campaign on the internet then you can click onto the following link. Be prepared to spend a lot of time... There's lots to read and comprehend. http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/ Some MP's have received up to 5 letters from different groups that have not been answered... Not even an acknowledgement of receipt. You should understand that these groups represent thousands of Canadians from coast to coast and that many of them are not young kids... but adults from the "silent majority" and they don't take kindly to their letters to their government leaders going unanswered. You must always remember "the 10 friend theory". If everyone tells 10 friends... and they tell another 10 friends.... What you have to decide is whether the people who vehemently want change have more friends than those that vehemently oppose change. This is NOT the first letter that I write to you four. And I expect an answer... In French or English... I don't care. I haven't received one answer yet... And you can imagine how hot under the collar I'm becoming because of your silence. Have a GREAT day! Mr. BOIVIN ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon A. Watts" To: Ontario-L Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2001 12:00 PM Subject: [Ont] Post 1901 Census - Liberal MPs being dictated to????? Greetings All. In recent times there has been considerable speculation about Liberal Party MPs being dictated to regarding their responses to our requests to support legislation to regain public access to Historic Census Records. Comparison of some letters of response would tend to support this speculation. I invite you to visit the MPs Scoreboard on the Post 1901 Census Project website, at the URL following my signature, and view some of these responses to decide for yourself. Compare the 15 May 2001 response of MP Andy Savoy (New Brunswick -- Tobique-Mactaquac) to the 26 June 2001 response of MP Maria Minna (Ontario -- Beaches-East York). The main portion of the two letters are word for word identical. Compare these two letters with the 15 December 2000 News Release of Industry Minister Brian Tobin (available through a link on the Post 1901 Census Project website) wherein he rejects the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records, stating that "further broad based discussion with all Canadians" is required. Decide for yourself if Liberal Party MPs are being dictated to regarding how they respond to our questions. Most of the wording of this News Release is identical to that on information sheets provided MPs by Statistics Canada. It is my personal opinion that Mr. Tobin is taking his direction regarding public access to Historic Census Records from Chief Statistician, Dr. Ivan Fellegi, rather than the other way around. It is my further opinion that Mr. Tobin's News Release was likely written by Dr. Fellegi, who actively opposes public access to these records. Most people likely vote for their elected representatives because they feel they are reasonably intelligent individuals, having positions on issues similar to their own, and being capable of individual thought. It would appear that at least some MPs are incapable of individual thought and are allowing themselves to be dictated to in how they respond to our questions. How does your MP rate? Does he/she think for themselves -- or do they take direction from above?? Contact him/her and find out! Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC 07/20/2001 - email to MP Ray Bonin from Muriel M. Davidson.
To: Ray Bonin, MP Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 9:09 PM Subject: April 1999 was a LONG Time Ago!!!!! To Ray Bonin, MP:- Periodically I check the personal message board of the elected Members of Parliament, especially the Ontario ones. This evening I was surprised to learn you have been unable to answer the first letter sent to you in April, 1999 -- surely someone could have helped you write it during this time period. YOU have a personal message board -- yours messages are ?missing? http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT Just click on your name and read the non-existent mail. QUESTION: As an elected Member of Parliament, serving the constituents who elected you, will you SUPPORT release of Post-1901 Canadian Census Records by voting YES to any Bill, Motion on this subject? This would mean the 1911 census would be available from National Archives in 2003, and every ten years thereafter. We do suggest you discuss this subject with constituents, be dictated to by them, rather than others, as many seem to be doing. Census records are needed for family searches, one large one the 100,000 British Home Children brought here as "slave labourers" over a period of time. We also need the census for genetically inherited diseases -- just this evening, I learned of another family member with Alzheimer's -- my husband has vascular dementia. Looking forward to a very POSITIVE reply from you -- it may be by e-mail, will be posted immediately by Gordon Watts on your board. Muriel M. Davidson Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee 06/19/2001 - email to MP Ray Bonin from Muriel M. Davidson.
To: Bonin.R@parl.gc.ca Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 5:55 PM Subject: YOU have never even replied to Global Gazette!! To Ray Bonin, MP:- Your personal message board is there for many to read -- does not take much time -- have YOU ever asked YOUR constituents if they desired census records released for family research? http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT QUESTION:- Will you SUPPORT any bills and motions, as an elected member of Parliament representing your constituents, that will see the Post-1901 census records released automatically to National Archives? The Prairie Provinces have never had a Canadian census, the 1911 should be released in 2003, etc. This is the FIFTH time I have written -- I only need a short email that will not take up too much of your long vacation. Your answer will then be posted. Prior to opening of Parliament on Sept. 19th, we will be publishing names of all elected Members of Parliament who have not answered. This is a serious and involved issue - one that should not be taken lightly. As a volunteer on this committee, my riding is CANADA. Muriel M. Davidson Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee 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. |
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