The political experience surrounding the Post 1901 (now Post 1906) Census Campaign has rocked our faith in the democratic process in Canada. The strategy of publicly posting the positions of elected representatives regarding accessibility of historical census records was designed to provide a forum for accountability. It seemed like a pretty good idea at the time. In fact it is still a pretty good idea... possibly for a different reason. Before this campaign, we Canadians looked smugly across our borders and beyond, mystified as other democracies' leaders rammed unpopular legislation through their parliamentary equivalents, for the benefit of special interests and political expediency. We've learned that Canada's version of democracy is no different in practice. Those of us who are politically naive are dismayed at learning how things really work in the Canadian version of 'democracy'. That which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger! A positive result of those political lessons is the recognition that there is a need for a paradigm-shift in our strategy. If Canadian democracy is about power and special interests, then we need to make sure that the heritage community is the most powerful and effective special interest group in the country. The good news is that there is an impending federal election... and that it is far enough off that we have time to design and implement a strategy to make the blocking of access to historical records prominent... riding by riding. Contemporary political success seems to be gained by attracting timely positive media attention. Viewing the evening news, and newspapers suggests that media outlets are attracted to a simply stated message, effective & repetitive 'on-message sound bites', and strong visual images. The most effective PR programs are designed to peak at the time when it will best benefit the desired result. Civil disobedience will get you media attention, however I encourage you to consider more effective legal methods to get the job done. Though we have all experienced disappointment with Canadian 'democratic' processes, that same set of rules provides many legal avenues of promotion/protest that will prove more effective in the longer term... and widen the pool of people willing to participate. The current Committee is a strong and dedicated crew. The leadership has demonstrated an ability to represent the goals of the heritage community effectively, and that they have an incredible work-ethic. What ideas, activities, experience and skills can all of us contribute to help take the campaign for public access to historical records to the next level? Might I suggest that the Committee consider assembling an inventory of who specifically is willing to participate, the skill-sets that those volunteers possess, amount of time each is able to commit, etc, etc. My experience is that those who are interested in genealogy & history come from every walk of life. From bank presidents, to politicians, to administrators, to drivers, to media people, to project managers, to stay at home moms, to you name it. All have valuable skills that can be extremely effective when organized into a comprehensive strategy. My two cents worth... Rick Roberts Global Genealogy & History Shoppe 13 Charles St., (Charles & Main) Milton, Ontario, Canada L9T 2G5 http://globalgenealogy.com *retail div. of GlobalGenealogy.com Inc.

Coming from a federal civil service family, I know that Parliamentary democracy is slow, reeeeealy slooooww. We have not gotten to the elected representatives yet. We are still waiting for the Senate to finish its third reading debate. I am starting to think that we may have the opportunity to commence a Federal Court action for the release of the 1911 census after all. Can someone remind us of the exact date when the 92 years are up? Jeff Paul says there is hope that the House of Commons may make some of the amendments we want. He does not have a crystal ball, but he is in a good position to know these things. I still favour trying to kill the Bill if we do not get the crucial amendments. However, whether it is passed in unacceptable form or dies from whatever causes, there should be some good quality debate in the House. If nothing else, this lays the groundwork for a continuing campaign to have the legislation changed to meet our concerns, as genealogists and as citizens interested in protecting the history of our nation. There are two opposition MPs from Alberta committed to seeing to it that Bill S-13 gets debated when and if it gets to the House of Commons. I'm sure that Senator Milne has someone lined up as well. Take Heart. This is just another battle, another chapter in the saga, not the endgame. Lois Sparling Rick Roberts wrote: >The political experience surrounding the Post 1901 (now Post 1906) Census >Campaign has rocked our faith in the democratic process in Canada. > >The strategy of publicly posting the positions of elected representatives >regarding accessibility of historical census records was designed to >provide a forum for accountability. It seemed like a pretty good idea at the >time. > > > >

Lois and All The date of the 1911 Census was 1 June. We are approaching that date very quickly. On my return home by Friday I will be be preparing my Access to Information request for access to the 1911 Census. I will date it 1 June 2003 and get it sent to Statistics Canada. Anyone going to join me in making ATI requests? It will cost you $5.00 which, going on past precedent, Statistics Canada is unlikely to refund it when they refuse the request. Following refusal of our requests, the next step will be to submit complaints regarding the refusal to the Information Commissioner. Details to follow on my return home. Happy Hunting Gordon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lois Sparling" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 9:25 PM Subject: Re: [CCC] My two cents worth... Coming from a federal civil service family, I know that Parliamentary democracy is slow, reeeeealy slooooww. We have not gotten to the elected representatives yet. We are still waiting for the Senate to finish its third reading debate. I am starting to think that we may have the opportunity to commence a Federal Court action for the release of the 1911 census after all. Can someone remind us of the exact date when the 92 years are up? Jeff Paul says there is hope that the House of Commons may make some of the amendments we want. He does not have a crystal ball, but he is in a good position to know these things. I still favour trying to kill the Bill if we do not get the crucial amendments. However, whether it is passed in unacceptable form or dies from whatever causes, there should be some good quality debate in the House. If nothing else, this lays the groundwork for a continuing campaign to have the legislation changed to meet our concerns, as genealogists and as citizens interested in protecting the history of our nation. There are two opposition MPs from Alberta committed to seeing to it that Bill S-13 gets debated when and if it gets to the House of Commons. I'm sure that Senator Milne has someone lined up as well. Take Heart. This is just another battle, another chapter in the saga, not the endgame. Lois Sparling Rick Roberts wrote: >The political experience surrounding the Post 1901 (now Post 1906) Census >Campaign has rocked our faith in the democratic process in Canada. > >The strategy of publicly posting the positions of elected representatives >regarding accessibility of historical census records was designed to >provide a forum for accountability. It seemed like a pretty good idea at the >time. > > > > ==== CANADA-CENSUS-CAMPAIGN Mailing List ==== Read Gordon A. Watts' column on Post 1901 Census issues at http://globalgazette.net