Editor:
An open letter to South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale MP Russ Hiebert.
I am a psychologist and not associated with any political party.
I have never written to a member of Parliament but felt the need to do so because of my concern about the use and implications of any omnibus bill, notably and specifically Bill C-38, to conduct the laws and affairs of government and, by extension, the people of Canada.
I have been reading and listening to a wide range of commentary by various people and now believe that such an omnibus bill subverts appropriate consultation and consideration to the point of abuse of the process.
If and when this bill passes, it will mean significant changes across many aspects of our lives and it demeans democracy. To do so is to do so at high risk as we the people become disenfranchised and our representatives – namely members of Parliament – become followers, if not puppets, rather than intelligent and cogent watchdogs whether in or out of the majority party.
Historically, whenever the democratic process is subverted, it is often associated with arrogance of power and will inevitably lead to abuse and deterioration of integrity. In recent months there have been too many instances of such abuse within your party and a continuing tendency to govern from the top rather than have open debate about proposals for change.
I believe such an omnibus bill, while expeditious to the governing party, violates a fundamental tenet of democracy because of its ‘all-or-nothing’ strategy and leaves an individual MP in a compromised position when the argument may typically be used that there are more positives than negatives in the total bill.
As I read through Bill C-38, I am alarmed at the wide-ranging impact and implications of the intended legislation – including lowering of accountability for the environment, elimination of funding for the Experimental Lakes Area program in Ontario, reduction of marine rescue services in the Vancouver area, no longer offering pardons for convicted criminals, amongst a whole range of programs and policies.
Contrast this with the waste and hidden agendas of government ministers, and it leaves one with the feeling that this government has become an unfettered and arrogant group who are no longer there for the people.
I’m not asking that you agree with my opinions, but I am asking that you adopt a different approach, i.e. requesting that this bill be broken up and relevant legislation be properly debated in and out of Parliament.
Canada is a great country. It is my country. And I care deeply for its institutions and laws and its graciousness in so many ways. Change is necessary and important but we must not do so without due debate and consideration particularly by our representatives.
Please act with courage. There are always times in a person’s life to stand up for principle and for integrity, and to be relevant rather than be a bystander.
Remember, many fine men in the past have stood up for principle and survived to become important contributors in ways they never anticipated.
Winston Young, White Rock
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An open letter to MP Russ Hiebert.
I’m sure you heard about the poor humpback whale which beached and died in White Rock Tuesday.
It was probably tangled by thick fishing lines, which obviously are capable of tearing any young whale’s body.
Will you be courageous and break away from Prime Minister Stephen Harper and vote to separate any and all non-budget items including the environment matters from the budget itself and to allow debates and changes to strengthen our environment?
After all, we voted for you to represent us, not that man from oil-rich and oil-spilled Alberta!
Wayne Sinclair, Surrey
Money to silence free speech
An open letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
I ask that you not pass omnibus Budget Bill C-38 before more debate in Parliament and some amendments, especially with regard to the section of the bill that will weaken Canada’s environmental regulations and eliminates scientific research programs that protect our land and sea from present and future contamination.
If the aim of the bill is to save money, then why does it allot millions of dollars to an oversight program which will specifically track how much charitable organizations are giving to environment protection groups?
This sounds like there’s plenty of money in this budget to silence free speech. And, if so, then Bill C-38 will silence potential “whistle-blowers” – the ones who you wanted to defend at one time, if I remember correctly.
But maybe that was before you became prime minister.
So now, as the prime minister who once championed the rights of whistle-blowers, it would seem imperative upon you to allow reasonable amendments to the omnibus budget bill before it becomes law in Canada – a.k.a. “Land of the free and the home of the brave.”
E. Kearns, White Rock