Appendix 25
Supplementary memorandum by The Ellen
Foundation Inc.
Child Migrants (CM 149A)We
have followed with great interest the Health Select Committee
Hearings and reviewed the various submissions. The submissions
of the sending societies particularly interested us.We are disappointed
that the societies still are not prepared to be fully cooperative
and forthcoming. It may be necessary, as referred to by Health
Secretary Dobson, for the Government to force the issue if necessary
by bringing in legislation.By now the Committee will be aware
of the many problems we and others trying to help Home Children
and Child Migrants encountered. We are confident the Committee
will address the many issues in an honest and forthright manner.While
the societies still want to try and maintain control of what they
perceive to be their information, we see no real solutions if
this situation and attitude are allowed to continue. A centralised
database made fully available to those requiring such information
with easy access is the only real solution.The societies offer
many reasons as to why they should continue control of the records,
but under careful examination they just do not stand up.The committee
is aware of the two areas where fee access is needed (societies
information and government information). Because of the two areas
it is our contention that only independent agencies dedicated
to helping Home Children and Child Migrants can successfully bridge
the gap.The information that will be included on a centralised
database will primarily come from the information available from
the societies. In the case of defunct groups, archives and other
areas will have to be searched. In the case of lost or destroyed
records an effort will have to be made to try and reconstruct
these records. To expedite the processing of the identities of
all children, legislation may be necessary to provide complete
access to records.Most Home Children and Child Migrants and their
descendants do not trust societies and this must be addressed.
The report submitted by Dr Gordon J Turnball clearly sets out
the reasons for these feelings, and the need to avoid stirring
up such feelings. This is why it is necessary to allow independent
organisations to provide representation.This approach would be
the best solution for all involved parties. The Child Migrant
Trust faces some different problems than ourselves. In their case
many more Child Migrants are living as are their parents, where
we are faced with considerably larger numbers of children. Therefore
one database for all Home Children sent to Canada and Child Migrants
sent to Australia may cause some delays for the Child Migrants.
We suggest a two phase approach to the processing of data.The
first information to be processed would be post 1940 "Child
Migrants". This would allow the Child Migrant Trust to proceed
with as much dispatch as possible. The second phase would be "Home
Children" pre 1940. There are many more children, societies
and defunct groups involved in the second phase and obviously
this will take more time.In view of the smaller numbers, fewer
sending societies (most still operational) it should be quicker
to complete a post 1940 database.The only consideration we would
ask is to fast track any request for information from living Canadian
Home Children, while the post 1940 database is being completed.This
will require cooperation from Societies, Government alike, but
with our assistance we should be able to minimise any unlikely
problems.
Canadian Centre for Home ChildrenThe Committee is
aware from the letter in our submission from the Hon Shelia Copps,
Minister for Canadian Heritage, that her department and other
government departments are in consultations to allow us to obtain
further funding to enact the programmes to enhance the help we
are already providing Canadian Home Children and their descendants.The
Minister and Heritage Canada have provided us with a substantial
Home and property (40 acres) in Cavendish, the most visited tourist
area on Prince Edward Island. Most widely known for having the
fictional home of Anne of Green Gables, Cavendish receives
750,000 visitors per year. With our new Centre we can expect to
receive several hundred thousand visitors per year.Though funding
and other assistance will be provided in the early stages, Heritage
Canada intends to help us develop to become self sufficient in
a number of years. This will be accomplished by the visitors to
our Centre each year. The Centre will contain a museum, displays
and archives, and our main offices and information centre. We
currently have a project to declare the site a "National
Historic Site" in memory of Home Children.With the assistance
of Heritage Canada we will be changing our name from the Ellen
Foundation to The Canadian Centre for Home Children, and currently
are being incorporated in the UK as a charitable organisation.
This will allow us to provide complete services to UK citizens
and Canadian citizens.
Access to Government InformationAt the moment we
have a good working relationship with the Canadian National Archives
and enjoy easy access to what information is available that we
require. The only instances we run into obstacles is when information
in the Canadian Archives is controlled by Societies.In the UK
we have the usual access to the Public Records Office and Archives
but no special access. The Government is the single largest repository
of information that would provide assistance in bringing relatives
together. We are grateful that the Health Minister will work to
see that such access be gained.Records such as Census records,
voters' lists and other similar information would be invaluable.
We realise in some cases such information may be in sensitive
areas, such as the NHS, yet they have the first avenue to locate
living relatives. Surely some system could be developed for special
cases that would provide for a Government appointed Intervenor
or Ombudsman, that could enter and obtain only that information
that would be directly helpful to a family reunion.We are encouraged
by the Government's position and feel that problems will be dealt
with in a fair and open minded manner. There is indeed an obligation
to help provide access to such records that the government has.
Long Term SolutionsWe note in the submission of the
Child Migrant Trust that they feel: "The work of the Trust
is time limited and will not stretch beyond a distant horizon."
We certainly understand their needs and concerns and why that
feeling exists.In our case we see this as very long-term project.
In the years to come our work will change somewhat, but in the
years to come it is our intention to provide a permanent memorial
site, information and archival centre that will continue on beyond
the 21st century. In fact we plan to celebrate the Millennium
with a Festival 2000, which will be a major recognition and celebration
of Home Children—focusing on their history and the significant
contributions they made into the shaping of a nation.
ConclusionThe Ellen Foundation Inc, soon to be the
Canadian Centre for Home Children, will dedicate ourselves to
continuing help for Home Children and their descendants.We are
now confident that because of your work and recommendations many
great developments will take place to compliment those already
achieved.We share and remember every day the trauma these children
have suffered. We know that some of you will carry these memories
of this journey for a long time to come. But be assured without
your dedication, integrity and leadership the light may never
have shone in the dark places of these children's lives.From all
of us in Canada, Thank You and God Bless You all.
July 1998
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