Dear Ms. Davidson, Thank you for your recent letter, in which you inquire about my opinion on the declassification of heritage information contained in census records. I appreciate having your concerns brought to my attention. I believe that general census information should be released to the public as soon as practicable, and that complete records should become public after a longer, protracted period of time. Census information is, by its very nature, public information. Any information contained in census records should be in the public domain immediately, except that which infringes upon individuals' rights to privacy. To answer the question in your letter, I currently see no reason why I would not support a bill that would release full census information 92 years after having been collected. Such a bill would generally not violate privacy concerns of living persons, yet would greatly aid historical research - both private and academic. My colleague and Opposition Heritage Critic, Inky Mark, is in full agreement with me on this issue. You may rely on the Canadian Alliance to unwaveringly support measures which would augment freedoms of information in Canada. Thank you again for writing. Sincerely, Chuck Strahl, MP Fraser Valley -----Original Message----- From: Muriel M. Davidson [mailto:davidson3542@home.com] Sent: Monday, June 12, 2000 11:25 PM To: Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca; davidson3542@home.com; Kenney.J@parl.gc.ca; Calder.M@parl.gc.ca; Lorna Milne : SEN Subject: I know There is GOLD in BRITISH COLUMBIA Good Morning Chuck:- Many voters, resident of British Columbia, would enjoy the release of the post-1901 census for family research. I am looking at a ? beside your name on the Scoreboard for Members of Parliament re census. http://www.globalgenealogy.com/census/index6.htm The ? stands for "Ones who did not reply to letters" Personally, I would like to see British Columbia have all Members of Parliament with GOLD ticks - meaning YES -- when the scoreboard is published prior to the next election -- it is being updated now by Gordon Watts. At present 20 of the 34 British Columbia Members of Parliament have NOT answered any letters!!! Six Members agree to census release, G = GOLD Seven Members are hesitant, denoted by a piece of fence. The only NO member listed to date now has a GOLD marker. QUESTION:- Will YOU, as an elected Member of Parliament support ALL Bills and Motions presented in the House of Commons for release of Post-1901 Canadian census records to the National Archives? WILL YOU VOTE FOR US -- YOUR CONSTITUENTS?? Presently we have Murray Calder's Bill C-484, Jason Kenney's Motion M-160, and Senator Lorna Milne has S-15, duplicate of C-484. The census records are safe at National Archives - legislation needed for release. Will you send me a short note telling me you agree to release of census records -- let's get rid of that ? Or, if you have replied YES to a constituent, a copy would be appreciated. Muriel M. Davidson <davidson3542@home.com> Brampton Centre riding [address/phone by request] Print and read THE MYTHS OF CENSUS by Gordon Watts http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/7843/poll.html