Please read the following -- then, if any letters have been written, ask yourself if YOU would like to receive the same. Muriel M. Davidson muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon A. Watts" <gordon_watts@telus.net> To: "Canada Census Campaign" <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:01 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census -- A gentle reminder. Greetings All. Every once in awhile during our campaign to regain the public access to Historic Census records that existing legislation states we are entitled to, but has been denied, I have found it necessary to comment regarding the tone of the messages we send to our Parliamentary represenatives. It would appear that I must do it once again. This morning I received a message from the office of one of our MPs that included a copy of a message received by them that was somewhat less than complimentary. Further than that, it was combative and made accusations that I personally know to be incorrect. I will not identify the individual who wrote the offensive message, nor the party or MP to whom it was written (it was copied to many MPs). I will say however, that the MP from whose office I received this mornings email has long been a supporter of our efforts. It does our cause no good to send accusatory, abusive or insulting messages to any of our Parliamentary representatives -- let alone to those who have been supporting us. When we are now so close to achieving our goal it is easy to let our emotions take control of what we write to those who we may feel, correctly or otherwise, are responsible for what we view as unnecessary delays in passing Bill S-18. Particularly when we are so close to achieving our goal, we must take care in what we write so that we do not cause MPs who have earlier expressed support for our cause to reverse their position. There are ways of expressing disappointment without being abusive or insulting. Should anyone feel the need to express disappointment with any particular MP or Party I suggest they find some of those ways. Avoid 'tarring everyone with the same brush'. To send an accusatory message to all members of any specific Party will undoubtedly include many who do not deserve to be accused. To sum up, we are trying to *encourage* our Parliamentary representatives to support our point of view. Specifically, we are seeking *unrestricted* public access to all Historic Census records after a reasonable period of closure. As I have done throughout the seven years of our Census campaign, I encourage all, when writing to our Parliamentary representatives, to be polite and respectful. To do otherwise can only hurt what we are trying to achieve. I will refrain from quoting the old saying about 'bees' and 'honey'. Happy Hunting. Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-chair Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census/Index_f.htm Permission to forward without notice is granted