Forwarded on behalf of Fawne Stratford-Devai: GENEALOGISTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CHANGE FEDERAL LEGISLATION!! At last! Almost 3 years after the lobby and letter writing campaign was launched to demand reasonable exceptions for research purposes to the proposed Federal Copyright legislation and; more than 2 years after the bill amending the Copyright Act received Royal Assent, the sections of the Copyright Act which provide exceptions for archives, libraries, and museums (Sections 30.1, 30.2, 30.21 and 30.3) will be proclaimed in force on 1 September 1999. The lobby by genealogists across Canada and around the world, supported by historians, librarians and archivists was intense and asked only for a small exemption in the proposed legislation to allow photocopies for research purposes. As with the current campaign underway for release of post 1901 census records, the Bill C-32 lobby {copyright campaign} saw genealogists writing, faxing, emailing and phoning members of parliament, Industry Minister John Manley and Heritage Minister Sheila Copps <yes, these same Ministers were at the centre of the copyright storm also>. The good news today is quite simple....GENEALOGISTS HAVE A VOICE. The public CAN influence federal legislation. As long as the campaign is widely supported and carefully focussed with everyone conveying the same message - we can make a difference. The actual regulations which specify the requirements for the implementation of certain aspects of the exceptions we asked for come into force September 1. The regulations were initially published in January 1999; however the final version contains only a few minor changes to provide clarification, or consistency in wording. The regulations are available on the Dept. of Canadian Heritage website <www.pch.gc.ca/culture/cult_ind/copywh_e.htm> (Click on What's New) The timing of this final implementation of the exceptions demanded by the genealogical community is perfect. The lesson in this final outcome of the copyright legislation is quite clear - together we can make a difference. Average Canadians and our global colleagues with Canadian roots can make a difference. Now, more than ever, lend your voice to the ongoing campaign to open post 1901 census records. We have done it once, we can surely do it again. Please write those letters, distribute and sign those petitions, there is much hope! I am personally most grateful to Jean Dryden, Chair, Bureau of Canadian Archivists Copyright Committee; my genealogical colleague who helped to insite and maintain the letter writing - Ron Cox of Quebec - who also set up a wonderful webpage during the Bill C32 copyright campaign and; Jim Miller of the Canadian Historical Association. Quietly and without fanfare we shared information, set deadlines and plotted strategy. This behind the scenes relationship was vital in the ultimate success of the campaign. The briefs submitted and presentations made to the standing committee by the Canadian Historical Association, Librarians and the Archival community perfectly articulated the concerns of the genealogists. To these dedicated individuals and institutions I am also grateful. Even more importantly, I am so very grateful for the commitment and spirit of tens of thousands of genealogists across Canada and those from around the globe who shared our dismay, collectively articulated our concern; and showed their commitment in writing to demand change. The ultimate power and energy of the copyright campaign rests on the individual shoulders of thousands of people who wrote letters, sent faxes and emails and made phone calls --- the everyday researcher who cared enough to try and make a difference. September 1, 1999 is a victory day for the copyright campaign. Please take a moment and pat yourself on the back for a campaign well fought and a job well done. When you are done congratulating yourself, take a deep breath - pick up a pen -- and write a letter to demand access to Canada's post 1901 census!!! For those of you who were not a part of this first historic battle to be heard, pick up a pen and be a part of the current campaign to change federal legislation and access to post 1901 Canadian census records. With the most heartfelt gratitude and very best of wishes, Fawne Stratford-Devai Family Historian Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Lorine McGinnis Schulze [email protected] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * The Olive Tree Genealogy http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/ * The Canadian Military Heritage Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~