| Name: | Mr. Gurmant Grewal |
| Political Party: | Conservative |
| Constituency: | Newton - North Delta |
| Province: | British Columbia |
| Telephone: | (613) 992-0666 |
| Fax: | (613) 992-1965 |
| Email: | Grewal.G@parl.gc.ca |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 13771 72A Avenue Suite 107 Surrey, British Columbia V3W 9C6 |
10/22/2002 - email to MP Gurmant Grewal from Bruce Adolph.
To: grewal.g@parl.gc.ca Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 12:35 PM Subject: Census Information Status? First, I would like to thank Mr. Grewal for listening to my rants about availability of census information so we genealogists will be able to add important information to our family history. As we all know, ancestry is very important to know as evidenced by the amount of history material available and the fact it is taught in school. This is called "heritage" and is often given as the reason for government spending, i.e. to preserve heritage of one kind or another. I am pleased to see that Gurmant has voted for the release of census information, and, I presume, carried forward the position based on feedback from his constituents. I am happy that many of the current members of parliament have moved from the fence to take a positive stance to make the information available. I understand that the first study has recommended the release of information because there was never an intent to hide the data forever. However, I have heard that yet another committee seems to be required because the first committee decided to release the information. Why is the second study necessary? How is it that a group of bureaucrats can force the decision-making body of this nation to go back in an apparent attempt to get the answer they really want - restrict or destroy the data? Most importantly, when is decision day? I look forward to your response. Bruce Adolph Surrey, BC 10/22/2002 - email from MP Grewal Burmant to Phil Riley.
To: Phil Riley Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 7:48 AM Subject: RE: Post 1901 Census Dear E. Philip Riley: Thank you for your note of support for the release of the historical 1906 census. The Access to Historical Census Records released its report and for your information and reference I am including the link to the complete report: http://www.statcan.ca/english/census96/finalrep.htm#1.%20Introduction The government has been dragging their feet on making a decision and introducing the required legislation. It seems the Prime Minister is interested in winning favour and is now mopping up by following through on some unfulfilled commitments. The government just announced that they will introduce legislation this fall to allow for the release of the historic census records, but what will be included in this legislation has yet to be seen. You are assured that I fully support the release of these historical census records and will continue to press the Liberal government to releases these census files so that genealogists and historians will be able to conduct their research . Once again, thank you for writing. Yours sincerely, Gurmant Grewal, M.P. Surrey Central -----Original Message----- From: Phil Riley [mailto:philanni@mars.ark.com] Sent: September 28, 2002 7:28 PM To: Grewal.G@parl.gc.ca Subject: Post 1901 Census Dear Mr.Gurmant Grewal, I see that a new parliament is going to be convened next month. From one of my Genealogy WEB sites I see that you support the issue of releasing the Post 1901 census records. I understand once again that the proposed Bill S-12 will die on the table. I also understand that it is expected that both Senator Milne, and MP Murray Calder will re-introduce their respective Bills in the Senate and the House of Commons on this subject in the next Session. I do hope that you continue to support our cause. It may not as yet appear that such an issue is of great concern to many people. I would like to assure you that this is to the contrary. One of the greatest users and still growing of the Internet is for genealogy research. There is a very large segment of the population that is very keenly interested in this issue. As our population ages and commences to retire, they like myself will find such an endeavor as family history research to be very rewarding and may be even vital to future family members. Current family unity as we have known it in the past seems to be breaking down. I believe that in the future our respective descendants will appreciate our efforts. Many of my friends and I here in the Comox Valley hope that you continue to support the releasing of Post 1901 census reports. Respectfully Yours; E. Philip Riley Member, Canadian Census Committee Courtenay, BC 04/20/2001 - email from MP Gurmant Grewal to Muriel M. Davidson. From: Grewal, Gurmant - M.P. To: Muriel M. Davidson Sent: Friday, April 20, 2001 12:55 PM Subject: RE: Just checking on our GOLD Members of Parliament On behalf of Gurmant Grewal, thank you!! You may count on his continued support. Dee Sczygiel Parliamentary Assistant Office of Gurmant Grewal, M.P. -----Original Message----- From: Muriel M. Davidson [mailto:davidson3542@home.com] Sent: April 17, 2001 3:47 PM To: Grewal, Gurmant - M.P. Subject: Just checking on our GOLD Members of Parliament Dear Mr. G. Grewal:- I have checked your personal correspondence message centre at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score1.htm#BC The last date is back in 2000, prior to the election of Nov. 27. Since that time Senator Lorna Milne and Mr. Murray Calder, MP have been busy with their Private Member's Bills, identical wording, having passed the Second Reading and First Reading respectively. Murray's web page is http://www.murraycaldermp.com/ Your GOLD tick is shining brightly -- looking forward to continued support! Muriel M. Davidson Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Brampton, Ontario 04/10/2000 - Extract from Hansard showing speech of MP Gurmant Grewal on Motion M-160.
That, in the opinion of this House, the government should take all necessary steps to release the 1911 census records once they have been deposited in the National Archives in 2003. The purpose of the motion is to release post-1901 census data to the general public. The motion has received a broad base of support from various members of the House, not just Canadian Alliance members. In addition, many MPs have received letters of concern from genealogists in their constituencies. In Surrey Central I have received letters asking for the release of post-1901 census records. For example, Don Ellis of Surrey Central has been writing to me since I was elected. He points out that the Access to Information Act protects the census information from being abused while it allows for the benefits of the release of this information. Mr. Ellis stated in his letter:
Apparently, the Privacy Act is being given as the reason for withholding these records. This is ridiculous in view of the freedom of information act.
As an amateur genealogist and the family historian I have made extensive use of census records both Canadian and British and cannot overstate the value of this source in establishing family relationships. They are one of genealogy's most valuable resources and should not be allowed to be permanently closed. Since the United States has made available the 1920 census and is in the process of preparing the 1930 census for release I would like to know the rationale behind Statistics Canada's decision. I believe the former ninety year closure to be more than adequate to protect the privacy of any individual. Strong families make strong communities. Stronger communities make stronger nations. The government refrains from doing anything and everything that makes families strong, whether it is the definition of marriage or not reducing taxes, which creates a tremendous burden on family members. Many years ago only one member of the family worked. Now both parents work, but still they are saving less. All of these constraints are weakening the family institution. The institution of the family is important and the government needs to do everything it can to strengthen it. Some of the letters and representations I have received are from people in the business of researching family trees. There is a significant demand for these services. The withholding of the census data threatens these jobs and the firms conducting this research, and deprives the beneficiaries of important sentimental information. In my own family, my wife's great grandfather died in Canada, but we are unable to learn of his whereabouts since the census information has not been released. Census data is important information for historical research, especially for those researching family history. Without releasing the information contained in the 1911 census this research is seriously hampered. Finally, it should be noted that the vast majority of those who participated in the census have passed on and, as such, the potential for breach of privacy is minimal. Up to and including the 1901 census in Canada census records were transferred to the National Archives and were subsequently made available to the public 92 years after their collection. This was possible because clauses in the Privacy Act allowed for the subtraction of certain pieces of information and their release to the National Archives, subject to certain aspects of the Privacy Act. In 1906 Sir Wilfrid Laurier, by order in council, legislated regulations that brought about an imposed secrecy on enumerators and other officers of the Census and Statistics Office. These regulations refer to chapter 68 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1906, an act respecting the census and statistics. Within this ruling section 26 of the regulations stated that the compilation of census data could only be used for statistical purposes. By 1918 this regulation was codified, providing that no one could view the information without the express consent of the individual. Unfortunately, no time limit was given and, combined with a legal opinion of the justice department of 1985, it was interpreted that the information had to remain secret forever. Some historians believe that the original 1906 and 1918 provisions had to do with a prevailing concern that the census data could be used for taxation purposes or military service. It is doubtful that the prevailing concern of the time was that historians would use the data some 100 years later. In a most recent report, the privacy commissioner, Bruce Phillips, warned the industry minister that the release of census data could seriously hamper the accuracy of future census and renege on a previous commitment to secrecy. The industry minister has nonetheless asked Statistics Canada to undertake a study of options to amend the legislation in this regard by either retroactively changing the confidentiality provisions from 1911 onward or by amending the legislation for censuses taken from 2001 onward. If Canada were to place its census data under lock and key forever it would sadly be far out of step with many other western nations. For example, in the United States census data is released after 72 years and an individual can retrieve his or her own data at any time. In Australia census data is released after 100 years. In France census data is released after 100 years. In Denmark census data is released after 65 years, and in the United Kingdom efforts are being made to release data after 100 years. It is now two years later. We are still waiting for something to be done by the government. In conclusion, the panel will report to the minister by the end of May 2000. Hopefully the motion we are debating today will spur the minister to take action. By the way, I had written earlier to the industry minister. To be fair, his original response to me was on the government's line, that they could not release the information. I wrote back to him and the chief statistician responded, admitting that the minister directed him to develop options for changing the legislation. It appeared that the minister was going to pay some attention to the matter in order to release this information, which was positive news until we realized that he had struck a panel to study the matter. We urge the government to release this important information so that we can strengthen the institution of family and thereby strengthen our nation. 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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