From: Savage, Michael - M.P.
To: Ray De Roche
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: RE: Release Of Census Data

Ray,

I am sorry not to have responded to your earlier email. I just got hooked up to Parl internet on Friday. Today is my first day of scanning emails. I will become more aware of the situation regarding release of census data, but I see no reason not to support your position. It has been raised in caucus meetings as an important issue that should be resolved,and the data released.

Regards, Mike

It has been four weeks since I sent you the attached email message and I have had no response nor has there been any indication of you indicating a position with respect to the release of Census data (without restriction). I realize you are, and have been, extremely busy learning your way around the jungle and bureaucratic tangle of Ottawa, however, I believe you have had sufficient time to talk with your colleagues from Nova Scotia and determine their position on this subject and come to a decision. I would ask that you respond to my request for a position.

Regards, Ray

----- Original Message -----
From: Ray De Roche
To: Savage.M@parl.gc.ca
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 9:59 AM
Subject: Release Of Census Data

I understand you are the lone MP from Nova Scotia that has not responded to a request for for position regarding the release of Census data for use by the public of Canada. There are many Nova Scotians (Dartmouthians included) who are seeking access to the data contained in the census data to answer questions about their genealogical families, history, medical records, etc. I believe you should join the rest of our representatives from Nova Scotia and indicate you are in favour of release of the census data (without restriction) when the due date is reached.

From: Dorothy Rafuse
To: Savage.M@parl.gc.ca
Sent: Sunday, August 22, 2004 9:52 AM
Subject: 1901 Census release

To: Honorable Mike Savage, MP

Welcome to the political scene in Dartmouth, which your dear father served so well. I am sure you will follow in his footsteps. I worked at Halifax City Hall as the Mayor's Appointments Secretary, during your father's term as Mayor of Dartmouth, and saw him on a regular basis. I now live in Portland Estates, Dartmouth, NS.

I have one area of concern, and it is the prompt release of the 1901 Canadian Census release. Someone is dragging their feet, as this has not been done. I am sure you have a fair bit on your plate, but in order for us to get our family geneology in tact before we are old and die off, please expedite this info to the deserving public:

Reasons this should happen immediately:

-- Current legislation, namely the Access to Information and Privacy Acts, makes specific provision for public access to information obtained through the taking of a Census or Survey, 92 years after collection

-- Public access to Historic Census records is currently denied by (believed illegal) policy dictated by a federal civil servant - Dr. Ivan P. Fellegi - Chief Statistician of Canada.

-- The policy dictated by the Chief Statistician is in direct contravention of the National Archives Act (now the National Library and Archives Act), the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

-- The National Archives Act (now the National Library and Archives Act) delegates to the National Archivist the authority to determine what records of government are of archival or historical value and that SHALL be deposited in the National Archives. It is NOT the function of the Chief Statistician to make this determination.

-- National Archivist Ian Wilson has determined that records of Census have archival and historical value. He has, in fact, declared them to be a National Treasure.

-- 240 years of Historic Census records up to those for 1906 currently reside in the National Library and Archives of Canada and are available to public access with no conditions or restrictions. They are also available through many other libraries and archives as well as through genealogical and historical organizations, educational institutions and inter-library loan. Scans of original Schedules of Census for the 1901 National Census and the 1906 Census of the Northwestern Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are currently available online through Library and Archives Canada.

-- I seek the same public access, with no additional conditions or restrictions, to Historical Census records after 1906 that we currently have for records up to that time.

-- I seek nothing new. We seek only to regain that which we have had in the past, and that current federal legislation states that we are entitled to.

I wish you well in your service, I thank you in advance for looking into this matter.

Sincerely

Dorothy & Lester Rafuse
Dartmouth, NS