| Name: | The Hon. Ralph Goodale |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Wascana |
| Province: | Saskatchewan |
| Telephone: | (613) 996-4743 |
| Fax: | (613) 996-9790 |
| Email: | Goodale.R@fin.gc.ca or Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca or goodale@sasktel.net |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 310 University Park Drive Regina, Saskatchewan S4V 0Y8 Tel: 306-585-2202 Fax: 306-585-2280 |
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10/03/2004 - email from office of MP Ralph Goodale to Michelle Knoll. From: Ralph Goodale, MP On behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, we acknowledge receipt of your electronic correspondence. Please be assured that Mr. Goodale appreciates receiving your views. Au nom de l'honorable Ralph Goodale, nous accusons réception de votre courrier électronique. Soyez assuré(e) que Monsieur Goodale apprécie vos commentaires. 09/27/2004 - letter from MP Ralph Goodale to Gordon A. Watts. Sep. 27 2004 Mr. Gordon A. Watts Dear Mr. Watts On behalf of the Minister of Finance, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence of August 29, 2004. Please be assured that your correspondence will be brought to the Minister's attention as soon as possible. Yours sincerely, Howard Millard 08/29/2004 - letter sent to MP Ralph Goodale from Gordon A. Watts 29 August 2004 Mr. Ralph Goodale Dear Mr. Goodale 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 10/07/2002 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Gordon A. Watts.
To: MP Goodale, Ralph Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 11:44 AM Subject: Post 1901 Census legislation Dear Mr. Goodale 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 06/18/2002 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Frank McKerry.
To: Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 11:55 AM Subject: Waste of Taxpayers money How can the director of Statistics Canada waste our tax dollars and the time in the Senate and the House rangling over the release of the Post 1901 Census to Archives Canada. He has dragged his feet for four or more years, he has told the House and the Senate about facts he cannot back up and refuses to back up his statements, He has defied Parliament. He took a dog and pony show to every province with a shame he called a TOWN MEETING - that wasted more tax money. He now has given a $14 million grant to universities to search the Census up to 1951, these Census are supposed to be turned over to Archives Canada. When I requested Archives Canada for the Special Census of 1906 through Access to Information, I was informed that Stat's Canada held these records. Parliament passed a rule that Census taken would be released to Archives Canada after a 92 year period. The director of Stat's Canada has taken it upon himself to make up ground rules to fit his desires, another waste of tax payers money. We are in the process of taking Dr. I. Fellegi of Statistics Canada, the Privacy Commissioner and some others to court to get the release of the Post 1901 Census - another waste of tax payers money - all because the Chief Statistition of Statistics Canada will not prove or show where he gets the authority to withhold and even destroy these (Census) historical documents - again a tragic lose and more tax money down the drain. What kind of a hold has Dr.Ivan Fellegi got on this government to spend Tax money like water, openly defy Parliament, and also past the age of retirement, still hold his position ? Respectfully M. Frank McKERRY, C.D. VERNON, B.C. 04/24/2002 - email from office of MP Ralph Goodale to Muriel M. Davidson.
To: Muriel M. Davidson Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2002 3:06 PM Subject: Hoping for your support Dear Ms Davidson: On behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C., M.P., I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your correspondence of April 18, 2002, regarding census release and global genealogy website. Please be assured that the Minister will be made aware of your comments. Yours sincerely, Sylvain Beaudry Senior Advisor 12/03/2001 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Garth Ulrich.
To: Ralph Goodale, MP Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2001 1:04 PM Subject: Personal Reply Requested Dear Mr. Goodale, I am concerned that, despite several letters that have been sent to you, you have failed to make a personal commitment to the question of whether or not you will support the release of Post 1901 Census Records. As you may or may not be aware, you are the only MP representing Saskatchewan that has not yet stated whether or not you will support this movement. At this time, all of your fellow MPs from Saskatchewan have made a commitment to this issue. The scoreboard can be seen at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score2.htm#SK I look forward to receiving your personal reply stating whether or not you will or will not support the release of Post 1901 Canadian Census. Regards. Sincerely, Garth Ulrich, Saskatchewan Representative Canada Census Committee 09/24/2001 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Frank McKerry.
To: Ralph Goodale, MP: Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 11:04 PM Subject: Release of the Canadian Census Hon. Ralph GOODALE, M.P. Wascana, SK Though I am not one of your constituents, when you vote in the House it still affects me. It is noted that you are undecided on how you will vote on the release of the Census to Archives Canada. Thousands of families, many are your constituents, are trying to trace their ancestors who pioneered this great country Canada. We require these census to trace our roots and bring family closure. We urge you Sir to please vote YES to release the Census to Archives Canada. Respectfully Frank McKerry Vernon, BC 08/06/2001 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Muriel M. Davidson.
To: Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 6:31 PM Subject: [CCC] Would It Be Possible for YOU to Answer a Letter? To: The Hon. Ralph Goodale, MP - Wascana:- I know when one has "The Hon." in front of his or her name, and a member of the Liberal Party, it is difficult to answer personally. However, your constituents elected you so you could be in Ottawa, the appointment came later. Check: http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score2.htm#SK On the left side, underneath your name, is YOUR personal message board -- but I find only recent postings to myself and to Garth Ulrich, Saskatchewan's Canada Census Committee representative -- and these are nicely worded and polite answers from a secretary. Saskatchewan, like any other province, does not elect secretaries -- we need to hear from the one the people elected. Murray Calder, MP, also Liberal, has a Private Member's Bill C-312 which has had its First Reading, supported by many signatures on petitions. The wording is identical to the Bill S-12 by Senator Lorna Milne -- it has passed Second Reading and is awaiting Committee. Votes on Private Member's Bills are FREE votes -- how will you support Murray Calder or another who seek release of census records? Would you please dictate something personal to your secretary, not a stock answer to show the letter was received? It may be sent by e-mail to both myself and to Garth Ulrich, whose address is gulrich@sk.sympatico.ca . Gordon Watts will be updating the Scoreboard, and you could be the only one in an otherwise GOLDEN Scoreboard. Looking forward to a reply by Friday, Muriel M. Davidson Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee 08/03/2001 - email from office of MP Ralph Goodale to Charles Dunlap.
Sent: August 3, 2001 10:15 AM To: 'Charles Dunlap' Subject: RE: The 1911 Canadain Census - second request Dear Mr. Dunlop: Thank you for your e-mail, received today, and your previous e-mail of July 28th, concerning the release of post-1901 Census records. Bill C-312, an Act to amend the Statistics Act and the National Archives of Canada Act (census records)had its first reading in the House of Commons on March 28th. Minister Goodale will await a thorough debate of this Bill in the House before stating an opinion. I want to assure you that the Minister has noted your comments and will keep them very much in mind when this Bill is debated. Thank you again for taking the time to write. Sincerely, Lisa Bryden Clark Special Assistant to Ralph Goodale, M.P. Wascana -----Original Message----- From: Charles Dunlap [mailto:charles.dunlap@home.com] Sent: August 3, 2001 10:58 AM To: Goodale.R@parl.gc.ca Subject: The 1911 Canadain Census - second request Good day Sir I wrote you a few weeks ago in regard to the 1911 Canadian Census. It seems that you are non-committal in terms of a decision of whether you are for or against the release of the 1911 census. Can you tell me where you stand? Thank you Charles Dunlap Saskatoon 07/23/2001 - email to MP Ralph Goodale from Caroll Massie.
To: Ralph Goodale, MP Subject: Re: [CCC] Post-1901 Memo: Only ONE FENCE-SITTER in Saskatchewan!!! Mon 23 Jul 01 The Honorable Ralph Goodale: I am not a resident of Saskatchewan now, but I was born there (Dinsmore, Sask 1935) and sure don't wish anyone from my province to be sitting on the fence. It should not take 92 years for any information to be released when someone wishes or needs to look up parents, grandparents or siblings. Please, please, stand up and be counted -- Yes! Spater... Caroll Massie Dayton NV 04/12/2001 - email from MP Ralph Goodale to Garth Ulrich. Dear Mr. Ulrich: Thank you for your e-mail regarding Bill C-312, an Act to amend the Statistics Act and the National Archives of Canada Act (census records). This Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on March 28th. Minister Goodale will await a thorough debate of this Bill in the House before stating an opinion. I want to assure you that the Minister has noted your comments and will keep them very much in mind when this Bill is debated. Thank you again for taking the time to write and I encourage you to keep in touch. Sincerely Lisa Bryden Clark Special Assistant Ralph Goodale, M.P. Wascana 07/26/2000 - email from office of MP Ralph Goodale to Muriel M. Davidson. Nothing much has changed.
On behalf of Minister Goodale, I wish to acknowledge receipt of your recent email. Please be assured it will be brought to the Minister's attention at the first available opportunity. Marilyn Steranka Special Assistant to Ralph Goodale, M.P. Wascana
Thank you for taking the time to write concerning making post 1901 census records available to the public. Feedback from constituents is important and always appreciated. On behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, I would like to thank you for sharing your concerns. Please be assured that your correspondence will be brought to the Minister's attention. Yours sincerely, Carla Cowling Special Assistant Office of Ralph Goodale, M.P. (Wascana) 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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