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POST 1901 CENSUS PROJECT
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Correspondence Log


Name:
Mr. John McCallum Sitting on the Fence

Political Party:
Liberal Party of Canada

Constituency:
Markham

Province:
Ontario

Telephone:
(613) 996-3374

Fax:
(613) 992-3921

Email:
McCallum.J@parl.gc.ca

Address:
House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6


Constituency Address:
8392 Kennedy Road Unit A17
Markham, Ontario
L3R 0W4

7750 Birchmount Road Unit 21-22
Markham, Ontario
L3R 0B4


10/07/2002 - email to MP John McCallum from Gordon A. Watts.
    From: Gordon A. Watts
    To: MP McCallum, John
    Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 11:44 AM
    Subject: Post 1901 Census legislation

    Dear Mr. McCallum

    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

09/20/2002 - email to MP John McCallum from Frank McKerry.
    From: Frank McKerry
    To: John McCallum, MP
    Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 2:48 PM
    Subject: Post 1901 Census

    Mr. John McCallum,
    M.P. Markham:

    It is noted on the Post 1901 web site that you are on the fence (undecided) on how you are going to vote for this Bill when it comes back to the floor of the House.

    Have you contacted any of your constituents on this matter ? The people who elected you to represent them in the House ?

    Many of your constituents are eagerly awaiting the release of the 1906 and 1911 Census and are trying to get family information to complete their family tree and ancestry links.

    I am not one of your constituents, but I am doing research for family in your riding and your YES vote will assist me in my search.

    Would you please change you Undecided mark to a YES vote on the 1906 and the 1911 Census release to the Archives Canada ?

    Respectfully

    M. Frank McKERRY, C.D.
    Vernon, B.C.

05/09/2002 - letter from MP John McCallum to Muriel M. Davidson, and her response thereto.
    May 9, 2002
    Ms. Muriel Davidson
    Brampton, Ontario

    Dear Ms. Davidson:-

    Thank you for your correspondence, regarding the proposed release of post-1901 census records.

    The proposed release of individual records of census' taken after 1901 is an issue which is inspiring many varying opinions across many sectors of society. As such, this issue requires much reflection and consultation before engaging in what may otherwise be rash measures.

    As a government, we recognize the complexity of the issues raised in the proposed release of the post 1901 records. Issues of fundamental personal privacy, and the responsibility of the state to maintain the relationship of trust that has been built up with the population over the past centuries, must be addressed in a delicate manner.

    Due to these concerns, and a desire to make a decision that is both consistent with government precedent, principled, and taking into account the very legitimate desire of many to derive information from historical census records, I am fully supportive of the decision of the Minister of Industry to continue hearing the views of Canadians before any decision is made.

    I thank you for your ongoing interest in this matter.

    With best wishes,

    Yours sincerely,

    John McCallum (signed or photocopied or stamped)

    Room 110, Justice Building, House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
    Tel: (613) 996-3374; FAX (613) 992-3921; e-mail mccalj@parl.gc.ca

    8392 Kennedy Road, Unit A17, Markham, Ontario L3R 0W4
    Tel 905/479-8100; FAX 905-479-3440; e-mail john@johnmccallum.net

    ********************************************

    Dear Sir:-

    You are a "newcomer" to the Post-1901 Census battle -- winning the seat in Nov. 2000 from one who must have had other constituents -- he was 100% SUPPORTIVE!

    "The Minister of Industry to continue hearing the views of Canadians"???? We have had the Expert Panel, as set out by Hon. John Manley, finally announced by Brian Tobin Dec. 15, 2000 -- but as Minister of Industry he was not allowed to follow the recommendations.

    In December, 2001 and January 2002 there were Town Hall Meetings across Canada -- the TRUE presentations may be found at

    http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census

    Other interesting items include a Federal Lawsuit, basically against one person.

    After you have studied all the CORRECT data -- not the Environics Report, possibly you will change your mind and think about the wastage of our $$$$$.

    Muriel M. Davidson muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca
    Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee

08/10/2001 - email to MP John McCallum from Muriel M. Davidson.

    To: John McCallum, MP
    Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2001 4:59 PM
    Subject: Could We Change the Symbol on the Scoreboard?

    To John McCallum, MP:-

    So far you have not answered any letters sent to you, although you were elected to serve your constituents on Nov. 27th, 2000. You replaced one who believed in release of Post-1901 census records -- we had hoped you would continue with his Gold tick, instead of the Blue ??? which denotes NO ANSWER.

    Imagine you were searching for lost family members -- you dash off to the library to order in the 1911 microfiche film -- but, this cannot be true, you say!!! There were Bills and Motions in both Senate and House of Commons appealing to the Members of Parliament to be SUPPORTIVE and vote in favour of release to the National Archives.

    One new member, Mr. John McCallum, MP of Markham riding was not interested.

    Please, John, could we change this and show a reply at

    http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT

    Your POSITIVE answer may be sent by e-mail (so I do not have to re-type) -- and it will be posted A.S.A.P. by Gordon Watts.

    Muriel M. Davidson
    Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee
    Brampton, Ontario

07/20/2001 - email to MP John McCallum from Muriel M. Davidson.
    From: Muriel M. Davidson
    To: John McCallum, MP
    Sent: Friday, July 20, 2001 10:04 PM
    Subject: New MPs Are Requested To Answer Messages

    To Mr. John McCallum, MP:-

    Periodically I check the personal message board of the elected Members of Parliament, especially the Ontario ones.

    This evening I was surprised to learn you do not have any messages on your personal message board, provided for your usage. It is BLANK!

    YOU do have a personal message board --

    http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT

    Just click on your name and read the non-existent mail.

    QUESTION:

      As an elected Member of Parliament, serving the constituents who elected you, will you SUPPORT release of Post-1901Canadian Census Records by voting YES to any Bill, Motion on this subject? This would mean the 1911 census would be available from National Archives in 2003, and every ten years thereafter.

    We do suggest you discuss this subject with constituents, be dictated to by them, rather than others, as many seem to be doing.

    Census records are needed for family searches, one large one the 100,000 British Home Children brought here as "slave labourers" over a period of time. We also need the census for genetically inherited diseases -- just this evening, I learned of another family member with Alzheimer's -- my husband has vascular dementia.

    Looking forward to a very POSITIVE reply from you -- it may be by e-mail, will be posted immediately by Gordon Watts on your board.

    Muriel M. Davidson
    Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee

06/19/2001 - email to MP John McCallum from Muriel M. Davidson.
    From: Muriel M. Davidson
    To: John McCallum, MP
    Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 6:44 PM
    Subject: WE request YOUR reply re Support of Census Records Release

    To John McCallum, MP:-

    I know you are a "newcomer" but by now you must realize there is a matter of bills and motions re census records release.

    Your personal message board is there for many to read -- does not take much time -- have YOU ever asked YOUR constituents if they desired census records released for family research?

    http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT

    QUESTION:-

      Will you SUPPORT any bills and motions, as an elected member of Parliament representing your constituents, that will see the Post-1901 census records released automatically to National Archives?

    The Prairie Provinces have never had a Canadian census, the 1911 should be released in 2003, etc.

    Prior to opening of Parliament on Sept. 19th, we will be publishing names of all elected Members of Parliament who have not answered. This is a serious and involved issue - one that should not be taken lightly. As a volunteer on this committee, my riding is CANADA.

    Muriel M. Davidson
    Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee
    Brampton, Ontario

05/23/2001 - email to MP John McCallum from Muriel M. Davidson.

    From: "Muriel M. Davidson"
    To: John Mccallum - MP
    Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 9:15 PM
    Subject: NEWCOMERS Are Expected To Answer Letters!

    To John McCallum, MP:-

    At present there is an error on your private census message board, which you possibly did not know you possessed:-

    http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT

    Scroll down until you find your name -- but underneath is the error, which will be fixed by Gordon Watts.

    Jim Jones was in favour of Post-1901 census records release with automatic transfer to National Archives. Please note the GOLD tick beside his name -- meaning SUPPORT.

    At present you only have a BLUE ?? as you have not either answered or else you have not been previously contacted. Please think about your answer -- I am hoping you will satisfy the constituents of your area and take over Jim's Gold symbol.

    You must know about Murray Calder's Bill C-312, as well as Senator Lorna Milne's Bill S-12 -- wording is identical.

    See http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html

    Bryan Keddy and I have this page -- we have their personal pages posted with wording of the Bill.

    QUESTION:

    Will you SUPPORT Murray Calder and his Bill C-312 if the bill becomes votable? Also, do you support Senator Lorna Milne and her S-12 Bill?

    Should the census records not be released -- there will be more than 100 years of family groupings unknown to residents of Canada. There are many personal reasons for the census records, which I have used extensively in all my research -- even though some of my early records included Victualling Lists for Newcomers to Canada in 1751 and 1783.

    Looking forward to hearing from you, with a GOLDEN reply!

    Muriel M. Davidson
    Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee

11/27/2000 - Mr. John McCallum was elected to the House of Commons 27 November 2000.


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