| Name: | Mr. Paul DeVillers |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Simcoe North |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Telephone: | (613) 992-6582 |
| Fax: | (613) 996-3128 |
| Email: | DeVillers.P@parl.gc.ca or paul@pauldevillers.com |
| Website: | http://www.pauldevillers.com/ |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 55 Nottawasaga St Orillia, Ontario L3V 3J5 Tel. 705-327-0513 Fax. 705-327-8310 361 King Street Midland, Ontario L4R 3M7 Tel. 705-527-7654 Fax. 705-527-7668 Long Distance 1-800-265-6228 |
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f\04/21/2005 - letter from MP Paul DeVillers to Muriel M. Davidson. Thursday, April 21, 2005 Dear Mrs. Davidson:- Thank you for your correspondence from April 20, 2005 regarding the issue of access to historical census records. I am currently supportive of the goals of S-18, since it strikes a necessary balance in meeting the interests of genealogists and historians while continuing to put all appropriate safeguards in place to protect the privacy of individuals. The Bill was passed by the Senate April 20, 2005, and I am looking forward to its introduction in the House of Commons. Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns. Please contact me if you have any other federally related issues. Sincerely, From: Pam Tessier Sir, I am dismayed to hear you are undecided on the issue of the release of the post 1901 census returns to the public realm, where they belong. You are fortunate to know each member of your family, both past and present. Some of us are not that lucky and are still searching. We rely on church records and census returns to help us locate family members. In case you are not aware, church records are not available to the general public after the year 1910. Census returns become even more important in the years after 1910 as they are sometimes the only material we can use in our research. You live in and represent an area that has a keen interest in Metis ancestry. Considering the events that are unfolding in this area regarding harvest cards and Metis status, this alone should encourage you to vote in favour of release of the census. Many times the census is the only tool applicants for cards are able to use to prove their ancestors resided in a Metis homeland. Census returns are an accepted proof of ancestral connections when applying for Metis status. I volunteer in at the Penetanguishene Museum and Archives in the Genealogy Room. Next time you are in town, drop in and see us. I would personally like to illustrate to you the importance of these records in genealogical research. We might also review how the ancestral tree for your family was assembled and find the entries for your family members in Tiny Township records, including previously released census returns. I respectfully suggest you reconsider your stand on the release of all post-1901 census returns and when the time comes to vote on this issue, I hope you will vote for their immediate and unconditional release. In the meantime, assurance that you will vote for their release would be most welcome. Pam Tessier 08/29/2004 - letter sent to MP Paul DeVillers from Gordon A. Watts 29 August 2004 Mr. Paul DeVillers Dear Mr. DeVillers Congratulations on your recent election as a Member of Parliament. To have the trust and respect of those who voted for you is a great honour. Members who have been re-elected will be aware of an issue affecting a great many Canadians that seek their personal ancestry through research of Historic Census records. Newly elected Members may not yet be aware of this issue. It has been estimated that in excess of 7.5 million Canadians have an interest in genealogy and family history. These individuals seek to regain the same public access, with no added conditions or restrictions, to 92-year-old records of Census after 1906 that is currently available for 240 years of Census records up to that time. Access to Census records after 1906 is prevented at this time because of the (believed illegal) policy of a federal civil servant - Dr. Ivan P. Fellegi - Chief Statistician of Canada. The Library and Archives of Canada Act (and it's predecessor) has designated to the Librarian and Archivist the authority to determine what records of government are of archival or historical value and that shall be deposited in the National Library and Archives. Librarian and Archivist Ian E. Wilson determined that schedules of Census have archival and historical value. He declared them to be a National Treasure. He requested the Chief Statistician to return care and control of the records in question to his authority. Dr. Fellegi denied that request. The Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Privacy Regulations, make specific provision for personal information collected through Census or Survey to be made available to any person or body for purposes of research, 92 years following collection. The legislation assumes these records to be under the care and control of the National Archivist. By refusing to return care and control of the records in question to the Librarian and Archivist for subsequent public access the Chief Statistician has acted in deliberate contravention of the Library and Archives of Canada Act, the Access to Information Act, and the Privacy Act. He has usurped the authority of the Librarian and Archivist to determine what governmental records are of archival or historical value and that shall be deposited in the Library and Archives of Canada. In dictating policy instead of following policy determined through legislation passed by Parliament he has usurped the authority of that body. Do you believe that any Federal bureaucrat, regardless of how highly placed or regarded, is above the Laws of Canada? Do you believe that a civil servant has the power to dictate policy that contravenes legislation passed by the Parliament of Canada? The Access to Information and Privacy Acts are complementary Acts born of the same Bill debated and passed by Parliament. Do you believe the parliamentarians who passed this legislation would knowingly include clauses in one Act, the effect of which would be to totally nullify clauses in the other? If your answer to any of these questions is 'NO' we ask that you support our efforts to regain the same public access - with no added restrictions or conditions - to Historic Census records after 1906 that is currently available for 240 years of Census records up to that time. We seek nothing new. We seek only that which current legislation states we are entitled to - access that we have had in the past but is currently (believed illegally) withheld from us by the Chief Statistician of Canada. We ask that you call upon the Government of Canada to immediately direct the Chief Statistician of Canada to obey the Laws of Canada. We ask that he be directed to return care and control of schedules of Historic Census to the Librarian and Archivist of Canada for subsequent public access in accordance with the Access to Information and Privacy Acts. We ask further that you ensure continued public access to Historic Census records by seeking a government Bill that would add to the Statistics Act a single clause, similar to the following: "Original schedules of Census or authentic copies thereof shall, not later than thirty (30) years following collection, be transferred to the care and control of the National Archivist for subsequent public access in accordance with provisions of the Access to Information and Privacy Acts, and Regulations attached thereto." In reading my letter you may not feel any obligation to respond to someone living outside your electoral riding. The votes you cast in Parliament, however, affect all people living in Canada and in that respect your constituency is all of Canada. Considering this, even though I do not reside in your riding I would greatly appreciate your personal response to my letter. Your response, stating your support (or otherwise) of the access we seek, will be posted to your Correspondence Log on the Post 1901 Census Project website. It will be available for viewing by your constituents on the MPs Scoreboard at www.globalgenealogy.com/Census Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and for your consideration of this very important issue. Respectfully Gordon A. Watts 02/18/2003 -- email re: MP Paul DeVillers from Lillian Marsden to Gordon A. Watts.
To: gordon_watts@telus.net Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 2:00 PM Subject: Census Records - PAUL DeVILLERS Dear Gordon: I have finally received a response on February 17th from my local MP for Simcoe North, Paul DeVillers, to my questioning why he was one of two who were listed as NOT being in favour of releasing the census records. Here is a part of his reply: 30 Jan 2003 by mail (received Feb. 17/03) to Lillian Marsden, Hawkestone, ON "Thank you for January 14th email on accessing the 1906 Historical Census Records. First on the issue of the census pole(his sp) of the globalgenealogy.com website. I have never stated that I am against the releasing of the post 1901 census poll information. One of my assistants will look into the matter and see to it that my name is taken off the "no" list." The rest of the reply belatedly informs me that the 1906 census records are now available, and comments that "the immediate release of these records is timely because it makes them available for research prior to the start of the centennial celebrations that will be taking place in Alberta and Saskatchewan in 2005." He continues: "For future releases of census records starting with the 1911 Census, the Government has determined that there is a need to clarify the Statistics Act. The Government will propose legislation to resolve this issue, and to allow access to subsequent census records while balancing concerns for the protection of personal information." Mr. DeViller's letter indicates there is an attachment about how to access the 1906 census records. And adds: "Also attached is a letter and a householder article you may wish to use to inform your constituents about the successful resolution to the matter." A very confusing paragraph considering no attachments were received, and I will follow that up out of curiosity. I thought you might wish to make a note that you should be receiving some contact from Mr. DeViller's office about the "NO" support issue on the website. Regards and thanks so much for your tireless efforts on the behalf of thousands of family researchers, Lillian Marsden 09/19/2002 - email to MP Paul DeVillers from Frank McKerry.
To: Paul DeVillers, MP Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2002 2:31 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census Bill Mr. R. Cullen, M.P.: It is noted that you are opposed to the release of the Post 1901 Census. This of course is your own private privilege. But when you vote in the House you are supposed to represent your constituents, not your personal views, Have you asked your constituents if this is what they want you to do for them ? I hardly think that you have taken the time, as I know there are hundreds of families in your riding seeking the release of the post 1901 census so they can complete their family trees and bring closure to the lost ties of their families. If your vote was to kill the passing of the release of the Census you would be letting down these people who elected you, and you swore to representtheir best interests in the House. Are you willing to do this - let down your constituents ? Granted, I am not one of your voters, but my family roots are in the Etobicoke North area, of which I am having trouble gaining the required family History to complete my family tree. Please re-consider you opposition to this Bill and vote YES, you can also ask Archives Canada to block your family information too. Respectfully M. Frank McKERRY, C.D. Vernon, B.C. mckerry@shaw.ca 07/25/2002 - email to MP Paul DeVillers from Joy Ann Parker.
To: DeVillers.P@parl.gc.ca Sent: Thursday, July 25, 2002 10:28 AM Subject: 1901 Census Records Dear Paul, I live in your riding. I used to work for you at MacKinnin, DeVillers et al. I am researching my husband's family history in Tiny Township and in Penetang. I would like to be able to access| the post 1901 Census information. In my opinion, and obviously in the opinion of the majority of your colleagues, the argument about privacy does not hold water. I would ask that you reconsider your stand on this issue. Joy Parker 07/15/2002 - email from MP Paul Devillers to Vicki Moorhead. It would appear that both Mr. DeVillers, and his assistant have difficulty in giving a definitive answer to a specific question. It is interesting that the URL provided is a french language page and the english language equivalent shows up as "Page Not Found"
To: "'Vicki Moorhead'" Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 2:40 PM Subject: RE: 1906/1911 Dear Vicky Moorhead, You should try the Statistics Canada web site at http://www.statcan.ca/cgi-bin/statcomment_f.pl You will find several search sites including phone numbers for those outside Canada. Sincerely, Erik Gravelle Special Assistant to Paul DeVillers, MP Simcoe North -----Message d'origine----- De: Vicki Moorhead Date: 14 juillet, 2002 19:33 À: DeVillers.P@parl.gc.ca Objet: 1906/1911 Dear Mr.DeVillers, I have written to you before regarding the census release. I would like to know if you would consider the vote for the release of the 1906 census. I am in the states but 60% of my family members are from Ontario and Quebec so I am doing research there in Ontario. It would be nice if you would help to get the release on these records. I have many more people I would like to search there for in the 1906 census. My grandmother was born in Blind River and never talked about her family and no one here knew of anyone until I had started the family search. I have found family living and that is only because they posted on the boards on the web. It is not like we are trying to invade anyone's privacy. 98 percent of the people on the census for 1906 are long gone. Please help everyone out here looking for family. Thank you Vicki 04/14/2001 - email from MP Paul DeVillers to William R. Morrison. From: DeVillers, Paul - M.P. To: 'bmorrison' Date: March 14, 2001 4:09 PM Subject: RE: 1901 census March 14, 2001 Dear Mr. Morrison, Thank you for your message from yesterday concerning the release of post 1901 census records. As it stands, there are still too many question marks and unresolved issues surrounding this subject for me to say whether or not I would support access to post 1901 census. The enclosed press release better explains our government's position. Sincerely, Paul DeVillers, M.P. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2000 Minister Tobin Releases the Report from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records Ottawa -- Brian Tobin, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, today released the report from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. In releasing the report, Mr. Tobin conveyed the government's appreciation to the members of the Expert Panel for their work and for the time and effort they invested in this important matter. The Minister indicated that the issues at stake are complex and far reaching. The government is committed to protecting the privacy rights of Canadians who were given an assurance of confidentiality at the time they completed the 1911 Census while, at the same time, the government must consider the legitimate needs of genealogists and others for access to historical census records. In light of these concerns the Minister indicated that further broad based consultation with all Canadians is needed. This consultation will take place as part of the already announced administrative and legislative review of the Access to Information and the Privacy Acts. The government's primary reason for undertaking additional consultation is to ensure that, if access to historical census records is provided, this is done in a manner that respects the government's deep commitment to privacy. To find out more about the report from the Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records, please visit the web site at www.statcan.ca. For further information, please contact Heidi Bonnell, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Industry at (613) 995-9001.< -----Message d'origine----- De: bmorrison [mailto:bmorrison@mid.igs.net] Date: 13 mars, 2001 17:12 À: DeVillers.P@parl.gc.ca Objet: 1901 census Dear Mr. DeVillers, Having met you several years ago , I remember you as an intelligent, perceptive politician as well as an upstanding member of our community. Much it was to my surprise to see your name marked with a red X beside it regarding the 1901 census legislation. While I do agree that privacy is a possible issue, I hardly think that 92 years after a census was taken there will be very many constituents left that will argue that its release will have any real bearing on their lives. I believe that some things in life are very complicated........while others are not. I have been researching my family tree going on 10 years now and census records are essential records for any genealogical undertaking as you may or may not know. Ancestors of my family have been in census records in this country since the first records were kept. I work and pay taxes for government services. I take my children to church. I play in the local pipeband. I have participated as a DRO during election. I shoulder the responsibility of my family and my career. I have submitted the work I have collected as a genealogist to a website for other genealogists to share. I was taught in high school that the government is BY the people and FOR the people. NOW it is my time to voice MY opinion on this matter and Mr. DeVillers I urge you to strongly rethink your position on this matter and listen to what the people of this Country have to say. The people that voted you into office in the first place are counting on you to carry THEIR voice into parliament. With that, I close. Sincerely, William R. Morrison Penetanguishene 03/12/2001 - email from office of MP Paul DeVillers to Linda Squires Vaillancourt and Jane Mosher Page.
Thank you for your message. Due to the volume of mail we receive we can only respond to people who live in our riding. Please provide us with your mailing address. Office of Paul DeVillers 03/12/2001 - email to MP Paul DeVillers from Linda Squires Vaillancourt and Jane Mosher Page.
Sent: March 12, 2001 3:21 PM To: Reed.J@parl.gc.ca Subject: re:census Hello, We are writing to ask for your YES vote to allow census records to be made available. One group in particular needs to have this information: British Home Children. This is the name used to describe children who were taken from England starting in the mid 1800's until the mid 1900's. These children often lost complete contact with their families. British Home Children and their descendants need the census information to trace their family histories and medical histories. Please, vote Yes to allow open access to census records. Thank you for your attention. Linda Squires Vaillancourt Jane Mosher Page 02/08/2001 - email from office of MP Paul DeVillers to Muriel M. Davidson.
Thank you for your message. Due to the volume of mail we receive we can only respond to people who live in our riding. Please provide us with your mailing address. Office of Paul DeVillers 02/07/2001 - email from Muriel M. Davidson to MP Paul DeVillers.
Date: 7 février, 2001 14:57 À: DeVillers.P@parl.gc.ca; davidson3542@home.com Objet: How about a Shining GOLD Tick instead of a RED X? To Paul DeVilliers, MP:- I notice, from prior to Nov. 27th election, your name has a huge RED X beside it -- meaning you do not agree with the work the Canada Census Committee is attempting on behalf of all Canadians. It would be a wonderful shock if you, after reading the Report of the Expert Panel, agreed with the members of that panel!!! A GOLD tick would certainly look better than a RED X! It is presumed you have done your homework re the Expert Panel report, so I will not bore you with that. Due to the election, there will have to be Private Member's Bills re-presented, same wording, different numbers, by Senator Lorna Milne and Murray Calder, MP. Many people hope to complete their families and above all, descendants of British Home Children, brought to Canada as virtual "slave labour". Will you, as an elected Member of Parliament, SUPPORT and vote in Favour of any Bills and Motions to have the post-1901 Canadian census released -- 1911 in 2003, others at a time decided by Parliament. [The 1906 was supposed to be released in 1998] Go to http://globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm You are able to access other census sites from here -- but on above you would have YOUR own message board -- whatever you send to me. Looking forward to receiving an e-mail with your name at the bottom and YES! Muriel M. Davidson Canada Census Committee member 07/21/2000 - Letter from MP Paul DeVillers to Vivian Parliament.
Vivian Parliament Midland, Ontario Dear Ms. Parliament: Thank you for your e-mail message from June 11, 2000, regarding the issue of access to historical census records. Recognizing the importance of historical research but also taking into account the privacy concerns of Canadians, the Honourable John Manley, Minister Responsible for Statistics Canada, created a few months ago an Expert Panel on Access to Historical Census Records. The Panel's objective is to provide independent, expert advice on the legal, privacy and archival implications of releasing historical census records. The Expert Panel has presented its report to the Minister at the end of June, but the Minister has not yet had a chance to properly review it. The Panel reviewed all relevant documents received to date, and met with key stakeholders to get their views. The Panel also accepted commentaries that cover areas of concern not previously submitted. I personally tend to support the view that since post 1906 census data has been collected under the authority of various Statistics Acts, and that this legislative framework contains strict confidentiality provisions, to permit disclosure of post 1906 census records could be viewed as a betrayal of past statutory guarantees. Thank you again for taking the time to share your views with me. Sincerely, Paul DeVillers, MP Simcoe North
ONE big question:- WHO makes the law that YOU can only respond to people who live in your riding? WE, the people of Ontario, helped elect you -- not just the ones in your riding -- the Scoreboard will be published prior to the next election and even YOUR constituents might be family historians, genealogists -- we do not always look at tombstones -- we use census records AND we are VOTERS. My riding is Brampton Centre -- MP is Sarkis Assadourian, who has had the foresight to support census records release -- IF ALLOWED! My address: 25 Crestview Avenue, Brampton, Ontario L6W 2R8 Looking forward to a reply -- you are an Ontario Member of Parliament. Muriel M. Davidson
Please provide us with your home address. We can only respond to people who live in our riding. Office of Paul DeVillers, M.P.
I am looking at that stupid ? beside your names on the Scoreboard for Members of Parliament re: census. http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm The ? stands for "Ones who did not reply to letters" Personally, I would like to see ONTARIO, where I live, have all Members of Parliament with GOLD ticks - meaning YES -- when the scoreboard is published prior to the next election -- it is being updated now. At present 73 of the 101 ONTARIO Members of Parliament have NOT answered any letters!!! Presently we have Murray Calder's Bill C-484, Jason Kenney's Motion M-160, and Senator Lorna Milne has S-15, duplicate of C-484. The census records are safe at National Archives - legislation needed for release. Will you send me a short note telling me you agree to release of census records -- let's get rid of that? Muriel M. Davidson Print and read THE MYTHS OF CENSUS by Gordon Watts http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html
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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