Many thanks to both James Barnaby and Leland Harvie for posting the article of July 4th, 2003 as printed in The Chronicle Herald newspaper. There is ONE correction, as follows: When Bill S-13 was wending its way through the Senatorial channels, Senator Lorna Milne tried to have amendments made by a Nova Scotian Senator. These were blocked by another Senator (name on record), with the result Bill S-13 had Third Reading and was passed by the Senate -- complete with restrictions Senator Milne attempted to have removed. Bill S-13 has had First Reading in the House of Commons, but $$$$ and other pre-election business was of more importance than Bill S-13 -- was not even consided as a priority bill. At present, Bill S-13 has had First Reading. Should Second Reading ever happen and the bill is referred to Committee, amendments are in place with back-up Members of Parliament. The amendments would dump the restrictions in the garbage can where they belong. There is one problem:- Should amendments be passed in the House of Commons, Bill S-13 will have to go back to the Senate for approval. The same Senators who disapproved before are still there. It is of utmost importance you contact YOUR Member of Parliament and ascertain his/her viewpoints -- do not go by our scoreboard -- unless you check dates of approval. Should you send a Letter to the Editor as James Barnaby did, the newspaper has the privilege of changing any headline and editing -- unless one pays for an advertisement. Muriel M. Davidson [email protected] Co-Chair, Canada Census Committee http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~downhome/post1901census.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: "Leland Harvie" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2003 8:32 AM Subject: [CCC] Article on the release of the Canadian Census July 4th, 2003 Date: Sat, 5 Jul 2003 00:59:15 -0300 From: "James P. Barnaby" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Article on the release of the Canadian Census July 4th, 2003 The following article by myself was kindly printed by The Chronicle Herald dated July 4th, 2003. Apparently, many were not able to access it on line via the Chronicle Herald so I am posting here. The only change was the heading...to CENSUS: CANADIANS HAVE RIGHT TO KNOW OUR HISTORY. I appreciate The Chronicle Herald for carrying this article. We all can do our share to see that the Census are released without any of the amendments which the Bill in the House of Commons is trying to attach. I have not seen it posted to any of the genealogy lists and I hope the LeLand will permit it to be done so here. I feel it is not an off topic as the census, as well all know, are a vital part of genealogy research and I hope will encourage others to also voice their support for the release of the over-due 1911 census and protection of future ones. James P. Barnaby email [email protected] ======== THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CANADIAN CENSUS Recently an interview was held on ATV -Live At Five by Starr Dobson with a gentleman who was retracing his ancestors through his genealogy research. He like others are aware of the importance of the Canadian Census in carrying out this research. The Canadian Census is released to the National Archives of Canada and then opened to the public after a 92 year waiting period. The 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 census followed these guide lines without any problem. It was only through pressure from the Canadian Census Committee that the vastly important 1906 census was released this year in spite of Statistics Canada attempts to keep it closed. This 1906 census was a special one taken due to the great influx of people to the west and it of major importance for those who arrived in Canada during that time in tracing their ancestors. There is at present a bill in the House of Commons that will add amendments that are not necessary for any privacy issues but will make it very difficult for individuals to carry on research on their ancestors and thus effecting the 1911 census, which was due to be released in June of 2003, and the release of future census. The USA census is released after a 75 year waiting period and in Great Britain it is after a 100 year period. If these bastions of individual rights and privacy have no problem in releasing their census why is it that Statistics Canada finds it necessary to think for us and say that we have to be protected from a system that worked quite well for the past 200 years. There are some in both the Senate and the House of Commons who would like to see the census closed to the public completely . The Canadian Census is the only time when average, everyday Canadians are noted as a vital part of Canada's past and present by NAME. All our families have contributed to this great country and we should be permitted to take our place in the history of Canada even only by name in a census. Also, the Census are vital in understanding the growth and population distribution of Canada over the past 92 years. Historians will not have a clear understanding of our past and how it effected our present and our future without access to the Canadian Census. The Canadian Census are a historical document and as Canadians we have the right to know about our history and not have it hidden away in some vault of worst to be destroyed all together as some in power at Statistics Canada would like to see. We are Canada not the Members of Parliament or the Senators. They are simply elected or appointed to do what WE want and not what they think is best for us treating us like children. The 92 year waiting period worked just fine and I see no reason why it needed change. James P.Barnaby --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. 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