Greetings All. This may have been an unexpected result of the PIPEDA act enabled 13 April 2000. It appears to be typical of what is happening in many areas where those having control of many of our normal sources of information are closing them out of fear of being charged with an offence. It is symptomatic of an increasing paranoia created by an atmosphere where bureaucrats are saying nobody can find out any information for anyone other than themselves. Soon we will be told that we can no longer obtain information even about ourselves. Perhaps there should be legislation to outlaw all mirrors and cameras so that we can no longer see what we look like! A hypothetical situation taken to extremes? Of course!! A ridiculous assumption of what could happen? Of course!! -- or is it?? The fear of being charged is causing more of our traditional sources of information to be closed. Whether or not this was an intended result of the legislation is unimportant -- it is happening! This serves to emphasize the importance of having our Historic Census records accessible after a reasonable period of closure. It may some day be the only source we have left. We must continue our efforts until we have been successful in restoring continued public access to these most important records. Happy Hunting. Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Muriel M. Davidson" <muriel_davidson@sympatico.ca> To: <CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 12:29 PM Subject: [CCC] The Diocese Office Must Have Received the Orders From Another Source Pembroke Diocese-Genealogical Requests Just wanted to pass this on. I wrote to St. Francis Xavier Parish to request a lookup, and they replied saying "The Diocese of Pembroke recently issued a decree stating that parishes are no longer permitted to give out information for genealogical purposes. A person may only request information for themselves or their minor children". Thought I would post this to perhaps save other listers some time and trouble. ===== A reply from Gary Boivin:- That's because of the newly enhanced Canadian privacy laws. Churches don't want to be charged. At a recent marriage I attended, the bride & groom had to sign waivers absolving the Church of any liability. ==== CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN Mailing List ==== Read Gordon A. Watts' column on Post 1901 Census issues at http://globalgazette.net

Gordon: My letter arrived in the mail today. I shall sign and return it tomorrow. As advised by you, I shall keep a copy of the letter. Rene Dussome Calgary