| Name: | Ms. Maria Minna |
| Political Party: | Liberal Party of Canada |
| Constituency: | Beaches--East York |
| Province: | Ontario |
| Telephone: | (613) 992-2115 |
| Fax: | (613) 996-7942 |
| Minna.M@parl.gc.ca |
| Address: | House of Commons, Ottawa K1A OA6 |
| Constituency Address: | 1912 Danforth Ave Toronto, Ontario M4C 1J4 Tel: 416-467-0860 Fax: 416-467-0905 |
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10/29/2004 - letter from MP Maria Minna to Gordon A. Watts. October 29, 2004 Mr. Gordon A. Watts, Co-chair Dear Mr. Gordon: Thank you for your correspondence regarding access to the Census records after 1906. I apologize for the delay in my response to your concerns. Issue surrounding the Census, or Statistics Canada, fall under the purview of the Hon. David Emerson, the Minister of Industry. Therefore, I have take the liberty of forwarding your correspondence to the Minister for a more formal response to you. Once again thank you for writing. Please feel free to contact my office if I can be of further assistance. Sincerely, Hon. Maria Minna, P.C., M.P. 10/07/2004 - letter from MP Maria Minna to Carrol McNerney. Ottawa Carol McNerney Dear Ms. McNerney: Thank you for your e-mail regarding the release of the 1911 Census. Please be assured that I have taken note of your appeal to have the records released so that you may complete your research. I have taken the liberty of sharing your correspondence with your Member of Parliament, Paul Szabo, so that he may be aware of your views on this issue. Thank you for taking the time to write. Sincerely, Maria Minna, M.P. Beaches - East York 08/29/2004 - letter sent to MP Maria Minna from Gordon A. Watts 29 August 2004 Ms. Maria Minna Dear Ms. Minna 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 Maria Minna from Gordon A. Watts.
To: MP Minna, Maria Sent: Monday, October 07, 2002 11:44 AM Subject: Post 1901 Census legislation Dear Ms. Minna 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 Maria Minna from Frank McKerry.
To: Maria Minna, MP Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 2:48 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census Mr. Maria Minna, M.P. Beaches-East York: 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. 04/08/2002 - email from office of MP Maria Minna to Muriel M. Davidson. It would be nice to see a response from Ms. Minna herself, rather than her assistants.
To: 'Muriel M. Davidson' Sent: Monday, April 08, 2002 8:32 AM Subject: RE: One Very good reason for 1911 Census Release Dear Ms Davidson, On behalf of the Hon. Maria Minna, I would like to acknowledge your e-mail correspondence of April 6th. Please be assured that your letter will be brought to Ms Minna's attention and will be given every consideration. Once again, thank you for writing. Sincerely, Daria Bradbury Parliamentary Assistant Hon. Maria Minna, M.P. Beaches-East York -----Original Message----- From: Muriel M. Davidson [mailto:muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca] Sent: April 6, 2002 11:34 PM To: Minna.M@parl.gc.ca Subject: One Very good reason for 1911 Census Release To the Hon. Maria Minna, MP:- When Murray Calder, M.P., of Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey riding is speaking at 5:30 P.M. April 9th re Bill C-312, please keep the following information foremost in your mind:- http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Murielsub.htm The above was prepared and submitted to the Expert Panel, in the hope the Post-1901 census issue could be finished. I use census records in connection with church and legal records, but the complete family is shown on the census. Much of it is my personal medical history, much of which shocked many -- I dared to speak about depression! We are hopeful some elected Member of Parliament will make a motion to have Bill C-312 deemed votable. More than 20,000 Canadian signatures have been signed by people wanting to research his or her families, some of whom are Home Children or adoptees -- other very great reasons for research. Sincerely hope your "intention of support" will change to full support -- if so, please ask your assistant to let me know. Muriel M. Davidson muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Brampton, Ontario 10/29/2001 - email from assistant of MP Maria Minna to Bill. At least this assistant is not trying to pass his/her words off as those of the MP. The words used, however, are almost word for word taken from propaganda from Statistics Canada.
To: "'bill'" Sent: Monday, October 29, 2001 8:54 AM Subject: RE: post 1901 census Dear Bill, On behalf of the Honourable Maria Minna, I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your e-mail correspondence of October 28th regarding the release of 1906 and 1911 Census records. The Minister has asked that I respond to your correspondence on her behalf. After carefully reviewing the matter, it is clear that more consultation is required before a decision can be made. While genealogists, historians and archivists have been making their views known, the voice of those Canadians who have no interest in genealogy or family history, but who are also required to provide their personal information to Census, have not yet been heard. It could be argued that privacy advocates speak on their behalf, but the Minister is of the view that this issue is one to which they should be given the opportunity to speak directly. The Minister of Industry, the Honourable Brian Tobin, has 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, Minister Tobin has indicated that further broad-based consultation with all Canadians is needed. This 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. The government has indicated that it will be undertaking a comprehensive review of federal privacy legislation. I trust the foregoing is of benefit to you. Please do not hesitate to contact our office again should you have any further comments on this, or any other matter of a federal nature. Sincerely, Daria Bradbury Parliamentary Assistant Hon. Maria Minna, P.C., M.P. -----Original Message----- From: bill [mailto:bstill@ctaz.com] Sent: October 28, 2001 8:31 PM To: Minna.M@parl.gc.ca Subject: post 1901 census Hello, As a descendant of several generations of Canadians, I am proud of my Canadian heritage. I am need of these census records in question to continue my research of my family history. I am hoping when you consider your position in this matter you will choose to release these census records for use. Thank you. Bill 09/04/2001 - email from office of MP Maria Minna to Avalon Lawlor.
Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2001 17:00:22 -0400 From: "Minna, Maria - M.P." To: "'Avalon Lawlor'" Dear Mr. Lawlor, On behalf of Maria Minna, I would like to acknowledge your e-mail correspondence regarding the release of census information. Please be assured that a formal and more substantial response will be forthcoming in the very near future. To this end, I would appreciate if you would reply to this message with your complete postal mailing address where the response may be sent. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact our office, if you have any further questions or additional information. Sincerely, Daria Bradbury Parliamentary Assistant Hon. Maria Minna, P.C., M.P. 06/26/2001 - email from office of Hon. Maria Minna to Muriel M. Davidson. This message would appear to be the response of Executive Assistant Robin Thorneycroft rather than of Ms. Minna. It is unfortunate in replying on behalf of Ms. Minna that Ms./Mr. Thorneycroft did not use his/her own words, instead quoting much of information sheets issued by Statistics Canada, and the 15 December 2000 News Release in which Industry Minister Brian Tobin rejected the Report of the Expert Panel on Access to Historic Census Records. Rather than award Ms. Minna a Red X of opposition, as first inclined to do, she is shown as having given a non-committal response and is thus "sitting on the fence."
Sent: June 26, 2001 1:46 PM To: 'davidson3542@home.com' Subject: Census Dear Ms. Davidson, On behalf of Maria Minna, member of Parliament for Beaches-East York I would like to thank you for your email June 19th regarding post 1901 census records. After carefully reviewing the matter, it is clear that more consultation is required before a decision is made. While genealogists, historians and archivists have been making their views known, the voice of those Canadians who have no interest in genealogy or family history, but who are also required to provide their personal information to the Census, has not yet been heard. It could be argued that privacy advocates speak on their behalf, but I am of the view that this issue is one to which they should be given the opportunity to speak directly. Public opinion research on this issue undertaken by Environics on behalf of the expert Panel has shown that a significant number of Canadians are very concerned about what they see as a retroactive change to the conditions under which they provided confidential personal information to Statistics Canada. Even more importantly, they indicate that this might affect their cooperation with future Censuses and with Statistics Canada in general. The Census can be critically weakened if considerably less than ten per cent of the population withdraw their trust. Should that happen, the quality of the Census, and indeed of the entire statistical system, would suffer an irreparable blow. Hon. Brian Tobin, P.C., M.P., Minister for Industry 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 Ms. Minna indicated that further broad-based consultation with all Canadians is needed. This 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. The government has indicated that it will be undertaking a comprehensive review of federal privacy legislation. I hope this addresses your needs. Sincerely, Robin Thorneycroft Office of Hon. Maria Minna, P.C., M.P., Minister for International Cooperation (613) 992-2115 256 Confederation Building 06/19/2001 - email to MP Maria Minna from Muriel M. Davidson.
To: Minna.M@parl.gc.ca Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2001 6:29 PM Subject: Could YOU give us an answer, please???? To The Hon. Maria Minna, MP:- 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. This is the FIFTH time I have written -- I only need a short email that will not take up too much of your long vacation. Your answer will then be posted. 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 05/23/2001 - email to MP Maria Minna from Muriel M. Davidson. The Hon. Ms. Maria Minna, MP I could not beleive it when I looked at YOUR personal census scoreboard -- and saw the date April, 1999 -- You have not even answered the first letter sent to you by Global Genealogy. there have been other letters since the Scoreboard was set up -- if you have answered, contact me. Regardless of you position in a party caucus, replying to letters is being courteous. When the Canada Census Committee organized in March, 1999 -- the first pages were set up by Rick Roberts of the company. You likely did not know you had a personal message board - at http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Score3.htm#ONT Just click on your name and you will find a very BLANK message board! Many people read these messages -- but the 1999 date is impolite. Go to http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/ . You will find a great deal of information at this site, plus petitions, all information in both languages. Visit http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html . Scroll down until you see MEMORANDUM OF LAW by Lois Sparling, an Albertan lawyer. It may be printed and is good reading! More good reading will be THE MYTHS OF CENSUS by Grodn Watts. It is also printable as copyrighted material has been removed. Both Murray Calder and Senator Lorna Milne, with Bill S-12, are working on behalf of all Canadians as I am. The wording of their PMBs is identical. Bryan Keddy and I have the above page, with personal pages of bothe Murray Calder, MP and Senator Lorna Milne posted. QUESTION:- How will you, as an elected Member of Parliament, vote if Murray Calder's Bill C-312 comes before the House of Commons and is deemed votable? Will you be in SUPPORT of census release, and transfer to National Archives? Will YOU vote as your contituents would like you to vote -- you are the one in Ottawa -- they can only watch and listen on CPAC. Please, let's get rid of the Blue ??? -- the hard work by many people in Ontario deserve better than that. The two hard-working members of the Liberal Caucus deserve your support. Looking for a POSITIVE reply -- PMBs are FREE votes if deemed votable. Muriel M. Davidson Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee Brampton, Ontario, 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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