Greetings All. My thanks to Gordon Taylor in Ottawa for advising of a picture and article in the Ottawa Citizen. It would appear that our Prime Minister, or at least part of his family, has an interest in their ancestry. I was unable to access the article myself but according to Gordon, on page A-11 of the Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2004, there is a picture story titled: "Exploring the Martin Family Roots". The story line is as follows: "Prime Minister Paul Martin's youngest son, David Martin,centre, and his two aunts, Anita Martin, left and Claire Guay, were on hand yesterday at the Meet Paul Martin Senior exhibit at The Champlain Trail Museum and Pioneer Village in Pembroke. The exhibit, which runs until October 6, explores the Martins' deep roots in the Pembroke community, focusing on the prime minister's father, who grew up in the town." On learning of this article I sent a letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen. At 7:50 this morning I received a call to confirm that I had written the letter and to advise that they were considering it for publication. My letter, copied to the Prime Minister, is copied below. 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/Index_f Permission to forward without notice is granted ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gordon A. Watts" <gordon_watts@telus.net> To: <letters@thecitizen.canwest.com> Cc: "MP Chretien, Right Hon. Jean" <pm@pm.gc.ca> Sent: Thursday, September 02, 2004 9:28 PM Subject: "Exploring the Martin Family Roots" Editor, The Ottawa Citizen. Re: "Exploring the Martin Family Roots" (Ottawa Citizen, 1 September 2004, page A-11) Interesting that Prime Minister Paul Martin has explored and is now promoting "the Martin's deep roots" when he will not take steps to allow an estimated 7.5 million Canadian genealogists and family historians to do the same. He refuses to direct the Chief Statistician of Canada to return care and control of Historic Census records to the National Archivist for subsequent public access in accordance with clauses in the Access to Information and Privacy Acts. Those clauses make specific provision for public access of 'personal information' collected through Census or Survey, 92 years after collection. The 1911 National Census of Canada should have been made available after June 2003. It has been withheld by the simple expedient of the Chief Statistician refusing to return control of the records to the National Archivist. We believe that refusal to be unlawful. It usurps the authority delegated to the National 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 it usurps the authority of that body as well. Mr. Martin told the Public Service that they are not an 'alternate legislature' and they should stick to consulting Canadians on policy, but leave the decision-making up to MPs (Ottawa Citizen, 9 May 2003, page A4 - "Leave decision-making alone, Martin warns PS" - Katherine May). He does not practice what he preaches. He is apparently content to allow the Chief Statistician to dictate policy that contravenes the Library and Archives of Canada Act, the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The people of Canada do not believe that any public servant, regardless of how highly placed or regarded, is above the laws of Canada. It is time for Mr. Martin to act. We call upon him to immediately direct the Chief Statistician to return control of Historic Census records to the National Archivist for public access in accordance with existing legislation. How about it Mr. Prime Minister? Give us the means to research our ancestry. Give us the access to Historic Census records that the Laws of Canada state we are entitled to. Gordon A. Watts gordon_watts@telus.net Co-chair Canada Census Committee Port Coquitlam, BC Tel. 604-942-6889 Fax. 604-942-6843 http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Census en francais http://www.globalgenealogy.com/Index_f