| Name: | Ms. Marlene Catterall |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Ottawa West--Nepean |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Telephone: | (613) 996-0984 |
| Fax: | (613) 996-9880 |
| Email: | Catterall.M@parl.gc.ca |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituencvy Address: | 2571 Carling Ave Unit 204 Ottawa, Ontario K2B 7Z2 |
08/07/2003 - email from MP Marlene Catterall to Norma Brown.
Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2003 11:20:10 -0400 To: "'browndm@sympatico.ca'" Subject: Reply July 08, 2003 Dear Ms. Brown, Thank you for your e-mail of May 9th regarding Bill S-13. I regret the delay in replying. This Bill has just been referred to the House of Commons from the Senate. I am not yet aware of amendments the Senate may have made to the Bill. I do know that from the beginning of this debate, a central concern has been to find the right balance between respecting the assurances of privacy that were given to people at the time the census information was collected, and the interest of historians and others in the data. The Chief Statistician has been concerned that abandoning the privacy assurance may discourage people from participating in the census. You raise important questions about the impact of provisions in S-13 on the accuracy of information available in the future. You may be aware that the Bill will be referred to a House of Commons Committee, which will examine it in detail and may make amendments. I have, therefore, forwarded your letter to the Clerk for the Committee's consideration. On your second point, many, if not most, bills make provision for regulations. This is to avoid bills having to include administrative details, which may need to change from time to time. However, regulations must be approved by Cabinet and must be advertised before adoption to allow public comments. I am sure the Committee will want to consider this issue I appreciate having your comments before the debate begins in the House of Commons. Yours sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West- Nepean 05/12/2003 - email from MP Marlene Catterall to Norma Brown.
Date: Mon, 12 May 2003 16:30:00 -0400 To: "'Norma Brown'" Subject: RE: re Bill S-13 - An Act to Amend the Statistics Act Dear Ms. Brown: This message is to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail to Marlene Catterall, M.P. for Ottawa West-Nepean. Sincerely, P. Syntetos Office of Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West-Nepean /8/25/2002 - email to MP Marlene Catterall from Gordon A. Watts
To: "MP Catterall, Marlene" Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2002 4:55 PM Subject: Bill C-312 Access to Census Information Dear Ms. Catterall. As a leader of the campaign to regain public access to Historic Census records in Canada I must say that I am very disappointed in your letter of response (copied below) to Reverend David Bewley. Your answers to his questions are so far out of date that it is obvious that you have not kept up to date on this issue that is so important to so many citizens and residents of Canada. I write at this time in an effort to advise you as to the current situation regarding this issue. Your reference to Bill C-312, a Private Member Bill put forth by Liberal MP Murray Calder, not having been drawn in the PMB lottery is incorrect. In fact, Bill C-312 was drawn and, much to the disgust of those seeking to regain public access to Historic Census records, was deemed by a sub-committee of the House to be non-votable. As such it received one hour of debate on 9 April 2002 and was subsequently dropped from the Order Paper. During this one hour of debate there were three attempts to obtain unanimous consent of the House to make the Bill votable. Each attempt failed because of one dissenting voice which I have been advised was by Liberal MP Serge Marcil. During the debate, Mr. Marcil made a "canned" speech which was obviously prepared for him by Statistics Canada. One might wonder what was so offensive about this Bill that the government was afraid to allow a vote of the House to determine it's fate. Senator Lorna Milne's Bill S-12 (identical to Bill C-312) is currently in Committee and is expected to receive third reading shorting after Parliament resumes sitting after the summer recess. We have every expectation that it will pass third reading and will be referred to the House for consideration in that place. The Minister of Industry (John Manley) received the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census records at the end of June 2000. It was not made public until 15 December 2000 when the Minister was forced to release it because of an Access to Information Request made by myself. At the same time, then Industry Minister Brian Tobin parroted Statistics Canada in stating that further consultations with all Canadians was required and that those consultations would take place in conjunction with already mandated reviews of the Access to Information and Privacy Acts. No such consultation was considered during the Review of the Access to Information Act. I participated in Roundtable discussion conducted by the ATI Act Review Task Force on 26 March 2001. I was advised at that time, by members of the Task Force, that their mandate did not include a review of, or making recommendations regarding, access to Historic Census records. The report of this Task Force was released 12 June 2002. It contained no references or recommendations regarding public access to Historic Census records. Neither has there been any consultation re: access to Census in a review of the Privacy Act. In fact, at the time of the announcement made by Brian Tobin, there had been no mandated review of the Privacy Act. Information aquired through ATI indicated that Justice Canada was not expecting to conduct any consultations relating to access of Census records, and that any review of the Privacy Act was not expected to be completed within at least three years. Being caught up on these non-existent "consultations" Statistics Canada finally announced that Town Hall meetings and Focus Groups would be held across Canada to find out the feelings of "ordinary Canadians" regarding public access of the 1906 and 1911 Census records, 92 years after collection. These meetings were held in December 2001 and January 2001, a full year after Mr. Tobin's announcement, and after his resignation from Federal politics. The Report on these Town Hall meetings was released on 15 February 2002. It is interesting to note that particulrly in reference to the Focus Groups, the report makes the point that the results are qualitative in nature and as such cannot be considered representative of the views of Canadians as a whole. The report does not give numbers, but uses references such as "some", "several", "many", "a majority", "a minority", etc. It is known from other sources, however, that 157 presenters were heard at the Town Hall meetings. Of that number 151 presenters wholeheartedly supported unrestricted access to Historic Census records Without exception, those presenters who supported access also rejected out of hand the so-called "compromise solution" being pushed by Statistics Canada. The government gives lip service to "due consideration [that] must be given to the needs of genealogists and others for access to historical census records". To date, however, they have done little to support that "due consideration". Any action that has been visibly taken has been obstructive. They have dismissed the recommendations of the Expert Panel. They have given false notice of "further consultations" to be held in conjuction with review of the ATI and Privacy Acts. After a year they finally had consultations through Town Hall meetings and Focus Groups. Six months after those consultations they have yet to take any action. They are considering a "compromise solution" proposed by Statistics Canada that would be a bureaucratic nightmare and back-breakingly expensive to set up and maintain, that would not provide the access required by genealogists and historians, and finally would set Statistics Canada apart from all other government departments that are subject to the authority of the National Archivist in determining what government records are of archival or historical importance and that shall be deposited in the National Archives. There is already a "compromise" or "balance" between individual privacy and access of Census records. That "compromise" or "balance" was determined by clauses in the Access to Information and Privacy Acts that provide in return for respondents providing information to Census, such information would remain confidential until 92 years after it was collected. We wonder how many more delaying tactics, how many more reviews and consultations, we will have to endure before we regain the public access to these records that at least three statutes of Canada state we are entitled to. Where is the "due consideration" to be given to the needs of genealogists and others for access to Historical Census records? It is certainly not evident to those of us who seek that access. In the past few years, in excess of 50,000 signatures have been sent to Ottawa seeking to regain the public access to Historic Census records that we are currently denied by Statistics Canada. For your information, on 5 March 2002 the Canada Census Committee filed an Application for Judicial Review with the Federal Court of Canada. The object of that Application is to obtain a Writ of Mandamus that would require Statistics Canada to transfer control of the 1906 Census of the Western Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) to the National Archivist. It is our position that Statistics Canada does not have legal custody of those records which, by the 1906 Instructions to Officers and Enumerators of Census (having the Force of Law), should be stored in the National Archives and would therefore be under the control of the National Archivist. As the person responsible for maintaining the Post 1901 Census Project website (at the URL following my signature) I currently show you on the MPs Scoreboard as having a gold tick of support. This gold tick was conditionally awarded on the basis of a letter you sent to me some two years ago. Since that time I have received some letters from constituents of yours that do not feel that gold tick is warranted because you have not given a definitive answer stating you do, in fact, support public access to Historic Census records, 92 years following collection. I would very much like to see you retain your gold tick of support. I look forward to a response from you stating your personal support for public access to Post 1901 Census records on the same basis as 235 years of Census, up to and including that of 1901, are currently available. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my letter and to respond to my question. Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee 1455 Delia Drive Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2V9 http://globalgenealogy.com/Census en français http://globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm ---------Original Message----------- From: Catterall, Marlene - M.P. [mailto:Catterall.M@parl.gc.ca] Sent: Thursday, 08 August, 2002 3:59 PM To: 'David Bewley' Subject: RE: Bill C-312 Access to Census Information Dear Reverend Bewley, Thank you for your electronic mail of March 3rd regarding the release of census records. I regret the lengthy delay in responding. Bill C-312 was introduced in the House of Commons March 28th, 2001. Private Member's business is drawn by lot. To date it has not been drawn, although,| it is possible that it may be drawn for debate when the House resumes sitting in the fall. The government is committed to protecting the privacy rights of Canadians who were given the assurance of confidentiality at the time they completed the post-1901 census. However, we recognize that due consideration must be given to the needs of genealogists and others for access to historical census records. The Minister of Industry received the report released by the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. Due to the complex and far-reaching issues at stake, further consultation with Canadians is needed. This consultation is being carried out in the context of the review of Access to Information and Privacy Acts. It is to ensure that if access to historical census records is provided, it is done in a manner that respects our deep commitment to the privacy of Canadians. I am confident that these competing interests can be reconciled and that these important records can be made available. Yours sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West-Nepean 03/10/2002 - email re: MP Marlene Catterall sent to Gordon A. Watts from Roger MacPherson.
To: "Gordon A. Watts" Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 1:21 PM Subject: Census Petition Dear Mr. Watts: I note that your MP Scoreboard shows Ms. Marlene Catterall , MP for Ottawa -West Nepean, with a gold tick. In my view, that is undeserved, and she should be shown as "on the fence" at best. I have written to her three times on this issue ( she is my MP). Her early response of June 1999 appeared to support the release of the post 1901 census records. However, her second response was a bit more equivocal. I wrote again on 28 November 2001, and finally received a reply dated 20 February 2002. It reads in part: Quote: "We, as a government, are committed to protecting the privacy rights of Canadians who were given the assurance of confidentiality at the time they completed the post-1901 census. However, we recognize that due consideration must be given to the needs of genealogists and others for acces to historical records. The Minister of Industry received the report released by the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. Due to the complex and far-reaching issues at stake, further consultation is being carried out in the context of the review of the Access to Information and Privacy Acts. It is to ensure that if access to historical census records is provided, it is done in a manner that respects our deep commitment to the privacy of all Canadians. I am confident that these competing interests can be reconciled and that these important records can be made available" End of quote. I leave it to you to judge. To me, this is a typical form letter response which gives me no comfort that Ms. Catterall will do anything but follow the party lead. At best, I would say she is on the fence. I had specifically asked why the Expert Panel recommendations were being ignored and a costly new round of focus group sessions initiated. I also asked what was motivating this pressure from Statistics Canada to deny release. Neither question was adequately addressed. Please accept my gratitude for the work and the leadership that you have put into this important cause. Best regards, Roger MacPherson 03/03/2002 - email to MP Marlene Catterall from Reverend David Bewley.
Sent: March 3, 2002 12:44 PM To: Catterall.M@parl.gc.ca Subject: Bill C-312 Access to Census Information Dear Ms. Catterall, I am a member of your constituency and ask your support for Bill C-312 to permit access to post 1901 census information. I am attempting to reconstruct my extended families history and have found the 1871, 1881 and 1891 census in both Canada and the UK essential aids in determining both the extent and the location of my families at different times in our history. I have looked at the "Compromise" offer made by Statistics Canada in their current "Town Hall meetings" and find it unacceptable since it would limit me to only accessing information on my direct parents and grandparents. In reconstructing a family history it is necessary to look for clues to your family in the extended family. In one case I was only able to find my great-great-grandfather in Yorkshire by first doing a wide search on his brothers and sisters in the 1871 UK Census. This eventually led to my finding some of his children with one of their uncles and that he had died just before the census. The offered compromise would not permit this type of wide search which is essential in building a family history. I would appreciate your help in making future census information available to me and my descendants. Thank you for your consideration of Bill C-312. Rev David Bewley Nepean, ON 11/15/2001 - email to MP Marlene Catterall from Gordon Blanchard.
To: Catteral.M@parl.gc.ca Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 9:49 PM Subject: Bill C-312 Dear Ms. Catteral: I am writing to ask for your support in making Bill C-312 votable. I am doing my family history and make tremendous use of the U.S. Census information. I would also like to be able to use the Canada Census information to aid in my research for the members of my family that lived in Canada since the 1800's. Thanks for your consideration. Gordon Blanchard, Alberta. 04/02/2001 - email to MP Marlene Caterall from Patricia Corney. From: "Patricia Corney" To: Marlene Caterall, M.P. Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 10:13 AM Subject: Post 1901 Census Marlene Catterall, M.P I have read the reply your assistant made to Murial Davidson. I see you also "beat around the bush". Are you afraid if you say YES release the Census and no more studies, your party may rap you knuckles? You are voted in by the Citizens of Ottawa, not your fellow M.P.'s. You are answerable to your constituants and all Canadians to do for them to the best of your abilities. The privacy issue for 1906, 1911 and 1916 are now moot to the people who responded to these reports. They are either very old, in which case the information cannot hurt them, or they are dead and the same applies. Lest you think I am just an uppity American, my father was born in St. Catharines, Ont. Canada and his father was a US Citizen, His grandparents are buried in St. Catharines, Ont. The information that we, all family searcher, genealogistsin Canada and the United States, and in fact from all over the world are waiting for, will allow us to find what has happened to our ancestors which do not show at the National Archives. Will also help those decendents of British Home Children to find them and further trace their families in Canada and maybe the United States. There were 100,000 children sent from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland to Canada. Maybe 3,000 have been claimed by their decendents. What about the rest? How can their decendents find them if all they show on the Archives is when they arrived? These children, who came not of their own volition, deserve to be found by their decendents and trace the siblings. Most children who came with siblings were separated and not told where the other went. Do not further the injustice done to them. Stand up for your constituents who are asking for the release of the Post 1901 Census at its legal release date and veto a further study of information already released by 'an expert panel'. Thank you for reading this message. Patricia Corney Quakertown, PA USA Granddaughter of Elsie Eliza A. BERRY, BHC-1909 Great Niece of Rose Lucy E. BERRY, BHC-1908 Cluny McPHERSON, BHC, 1903 IOWFHS #1334 04/02/2001 - email from MP Marlene Catterall to Muriel M. Davidson. From: Catterall, Marlene - Assistant 4 CatteM6@parl.gc.ca To: Muriel M. Davidson Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 6:34 AM Subject: RE: Hoping for your support again! April 2, 2001 Ms. Muriel M. Davidson, I would like to thank you for your letter regarding post-1901 census concerns. On December 15, 2000 the Minister of Industry, Brian Tobin, released the report by the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census. The Panel was appointed in November of 1999 by the previous Minister of Industry to report regarding the legal, privacy and archival implications of providing access to historical census records. The Panel considered thousands of letters, faxes and e-mails from Canadians, public opinion research commissioned by Statistics Canada, and the views of certain interested groups. It concluded that "Our fundamental recommendation is simply that census records should be publicly released through the National Archives 92 years after a census is taken. The means by which the release of historical census records can be achieved varies with the historical period in which the census was and will be taken. ... The Panel recommends the immediate public release through the National Archives of the 1906 Census with a scheduled release of the 1911 Census in 2003 and the 1916 Census in 2008." The Minister has indicated that because the issues in this matter are far reaching, in so far as they extend into matters of privacy more generally, further broad based consultation with Canadians will be needed. The government wants to ensure that if access to historical census records is provided, that it should be done in a manner that respects our deep commitment to privacy. I am confident that these competing demands will be reconciled, and amendment will be made to change the laws so that they grant access to historians while respecting the privacy of Canadian citizens. As of March 30, 2001 Senator Lorna Milne's Private Member's Bill has been tabled, as Bill S-12, and MP Murray Calder's bill has been tabled as Bill C-312. For further information on the report from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census records, please visit the website for Statistics Canada at www.statcan.ca Yours sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa-West-Nepean 09/09/2000 - email from MP marline Catterall to Pat Hunter. Dear Pat, I have been following the development of this issue for some time, and agree that historians, genealogists and others researching their family histories gain valuable information from census data. I have communicated with Ho. John Manley, and expressed my hope, and that of many Canadians, that there will be soon a resolution of this issue. To date, the Minister has been considering two options: amending the law to allow future census data to be released, or retroactive changes to the confidentiality provision of the Statistics Canada Act to release the post 1901 Census information. In light of the considerable public debate on this issue, the Minister announced the creation of an Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. I am anxiously awaiting the report and their findings. I can assure you that I will continue to keep the Minister abreast of the concerns of interested Canadians on this issue and will continue to follow the development of the situation closely. Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West - Nepean
Dear Mr. Watts, I would like to thank you for contacting my office to share your concern about the release of the post 1901 Census records. I have been following the development of this issue for some time, and agree that historians, genealogists, and others researching their family histories gain valuable information from census data. I have communicated with the Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, the Honourable John Manley, and expressed my hope, and that of many Canadians, that there will soon be a resolution of this issue. To date, the Minister has been considering two options: amending the law to allow future census data to be released, or retroactive changes to the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Canada Act to release the post 1901 census information. In light of the considerable public debate on this issue, the Minister has recently announced the creation of an Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records, which will be active over the next few months. I can assure you that I will continue to keep the Minister abreast of the concerns of interested Canadians on this issue and to follow the development of the situation closely. Sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West - Nepean mc-pc4-jl/watts
This is the third identically worded, non-committal, response that I have had from you, stating that you do not respond to communications from outside your constituency. I received the first 14 June 1999, and the second on 31 May 2000. It seems nothing much has changed with you, or your responses, in the past 13 months. It is indeed unfortunate that you have your office staff programmed to output this same message to all who contact you from outside of your regional constituency. While you may feel that you have responsibility to respond only to those residing in your regional constituency, in the wider sense of the word, you were elected by Canadians, to represent Canadians. By a strange coincidence of birth, I happen to be a Canadian. I also happen to be one of those leading the campaign on the Internet seeking to obtain access to Post 1901 Census records, and the individual responsible for maintaining and updating the Post 1901 Census Project Website at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census This website includes the MP's Scoreboard which shows their response (or lack thereof) to the question of how they would vote on a Bill to allow access to Post 1901 Census records, 92 years after collection, as allowed by regulations attached to the Privacy Act. Your constituents, having elected you, presumably because they felt you were a rational, thinking individual, having opinions similar to their own, want to know your position on this issue. They want to see the green "fence-sitting" icon representing non-committal responses changed to a "gold tick" of support for allowing access to Historic Census. I would therefore respectfully ask once more the 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 Reports after 92 years, starting with the 1906 Census? If, as your message states, you actually "do read each letter personally", I would respectfully request a specific answer to the specific question above. I hardly think that it takes more effort to send a one line message stating "I support........." or "I do not support......." than it does to send one stating "I am not able to respond individually to all communications from outside my constituency." Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. Sincerely, Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net
To: Sent: Monday, 17 July, 2000 8:59 AM Subject: Reply to your email. July 17, 2000 Dear Mr. Watts: Thank you for your recent correspondence. Although I am not able to respond individually to all communications from outside my constituency, I want you to know that I do read each letter personally. Your opinions are a valued contribution to the discussion of public issues. Sincerely yours, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West-Nepean pc2/RN/Watts
Dear Ms. Turner, I would like to thank you for contacting my office to share your concern about the release of the post 1901 Census records. I have been following the development of this issue for some time, and agree that historians, genealogists, and others researching their family histories gain valuable information from census data. I have communicated with the Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, the Honourable John Manley, and expressed my hope, and that of many Canadians, that there will soon be a resolution of this issue. To date, the Minister has been considering two options: amending the law to allow future census data to be released, or retroactive changes to the confidentiality provisions of the Statistics Canada Act to release the post 1901 census information. In light of the considerable public debate on this issue, the Minister has recently announced the creation of an Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records, which will be active over the next few months. I can assure you that I will continue to keep the Minister abreast of the concerns of interested Canadians on this issue and to follow the development of the situation closely. Sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West - Nepean
Although I am not able to respond individually to all communications from outside my constituency, I want you to know that I do read each letter personally. Your opinions are a valued contribution to the discussion of public issues. Yours Sincerely, Marlene Catterall, M.P. Ottawa West - Nepean
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2000 1:25 PM To: Marlene Catteral, MP Subject: Access to Historic Census Records To all Members of Parliament I give greetings. By way of introduction I will advise that I am one of the leaders of a campaign on the Internet seeking Public access to Post 1901 Census records after a reasonable period of time, (currently 92 years following collection,) as provided for by Regulations pertaining to the Privacy Act of Canada. I am sure that over the past two years, all Members of Parliament have been contacted by their constituents regarding this matter. All 301 MPs have been sent e-mail and letters asking (1) their willingness to prepare and present a Bill to obtain access to Post 1901 Census records after a reasonable period, and (2) how they would vote on a Bill to allow access to Post 1901 Census. I have seen many responses from MPs and these have been varied. Several voiced immediate support for access to Historic Census records while a few stated opposition to access. Others, those who bothered to respond to questions regarding access to Historic Census, sent answers giving no clue as to their position on this matter. Many simply acknowledged receipt of the letter, stating "your concerns have been noted" and "have been passed to Industry Minister John Manley" or Statistics Canada. By far the majority of MPs did not see fit to respond in any way to these questions. Those MPs who are "fence-sitters" or who stated opposition to access to Census records had one thing in common -- they all relied heavily on statements released by Statistics Canada regarding a "promise" of "never ending confidentiality" that was supposedly given by the 1905 government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier. Most could not be bothered to respond in their own wording but quoted in part, or in entirety, from those statements released by Statistics Canada. One in particular titled "Access to 1911 and other Post-1901 Census Records" was widely quoted. Obviously those MPs responding in this manner accepted at face value what Statistics Canada and Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips have said regarding this "promise". They have made no attempt to seek out the truth of the matter. I have asked both Statistics Canada and Privacy Commissioner Bruce Phillips to "show me the promise" upon which their position of non-disclosure is entirely based. To date they have been unable to do -- simply referring me to the Statutes of 1905/1906, and Instructions to Census Officers and Enumerators of Census for that time period. I can state categorically that at no place in these Statutes and Instructions, nor in any Statues or Instructions since then, is there any mention of a "promise" that confidentiality of information given by respondents to Census will last "forever". The "promise" does not exist. On 12 November 1999 an Expert Panel to study Access to Historic Census Records was appointed with a mandate to bring down a report containing recommendations by 31 May 2000. In an effort to inform and educate, or at least to cause MPs to think about the issue, I have attached to this message the files containing my printed submission to the Expert Panel. Titled "The Myths of Census", this submission is the result of considerable research of the pertinent sources of information relating to the matter at hand. These sources, among others, include:
Most Instructions to Officers and Enumerators of Census from 1871 to 1941. Extracted Debates of the House of Commons and the Senate for 1879, 1905 and 1918. Many Proclamations and Orders in Council published in The Canada Gazette. Extract from Archivaria 45 (Fall 1998) -- "Counting the Archives In: The appraisal of the 1991 Census of Canada" by Jean-Stephen Piche and Sheila Powell. Extract from Canadian Public Administration (Vol. 20, No. 3, pp 481-498) -- "Access to historic census data in Canada: a comparative analysis." by David H. Flaherty. Report of the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs titled "Saving Our Census and preserving our history (May 1998)". Read these submissions, and think about the issues involved. With the report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census due by the end of May it is likely that there will soon be a Bill relating to Access of Historic Census records to vote on. In this regard I would again ask each of you the following question:
To the Francophone Members of Parliament I extend my apologies for not sending this message and the attached files in the French language. I regret that I am not bilingual and neither read, nor write, French. Thank you. Gordon A. WATTS gordon_watts@telus.net
Although I am not able to repond individually to all communications from outside my constituency, I want you to know that I do read each letter personally. Your opinions are a valued contribution to the discussion of public issues. Yours, sincerely, <Signature> Marlene Catterall, M.P."
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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