----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon A. Watts" <gordon_watts@telus.net> To: "Canada Census Campaign" <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 9:28 PM Subject: Post 1901 Census - S-18 debate makes it to the House Greetings All Second Reading of Bill S-18 finally made it to the floor of the House of Commons today (Monday 13 June) with MP Lloyd St. Amand opening debate. Debate started in the afternoon (my afternoon in BC). Following a passed deferred vote on a motion that the House sit until midnite each day from 13 June to 23 June, debate on S-18 continued until about 7:35 PM PDT. At that time the House was unanimous in referring Bill S-18 to the House Standing Committee on Industry, Natural Resources, Science and Technology. Two MPs, Lloyd St. Amand and Marc Boulainne, who have never responded to our questions of support, but spoke in favour of access, will be receiving Gold Ticks on the MPs Scoreboards. Werner Schmidt, currently shown as supporting access will see a Red X of Opposition replace his Gold Tick. There were too many MPs speaking to the Bill, or asking questions of those who did, to list here with summaries of their comments. I will have the debate of S-18 placed on the Post 1901 Census project website as soon as possible after I can access Hansard in the morning (Tuesday). I will post a message when it is available. The Committee to which Bill S-18 has been referred is scheduled to meet from 3:30 to 5:30 PM (ET) on Wednesday 15 June 2005. As I write this the only thing shown on the agenda for that meeting is 'Committee Business'. It is my understanding however, that Bill S-18 has been expected to be referred and that the Committee is prepared to proceed with discussion of it at that time. With the number of MPs who indicated during debate they wished to appear before the Committee, and the fact that at least one, and perhaps two MPs intend to move amendments to it, it appears to me unlikely that it will be reported back to the House after only one meeting. Should a motion to amend be successful, it would mean S-18 would have to be returned to the Senate for futher debate. To become law, a Bill must be approved in both the Senate and the House with identical wording. Let us hope that any proposed amendments are rejected. Unfortunately the Parliamentary Webcast website shows the Committee meeting will be held 'in camera' and so will not be available over the Internet. Jeff Paul advises me that he will be in attendance and hopefully he will post something about what takes place. I will be seeking to have the Clerk of the Committee send me a copy of the unrevised transcript of the meeting. I will be on the road on Wednesday but will have my laptop and cellphone with me. I will let you know if I am advised of any information coming out of the Committee meeting. 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