Conservatives erode democracy
To the Editor,
Re: Wear-green effort lacks respect, Letters, June 2.
I understand that Jim Corder and I have very different views on patriotism. This is fine as differing views are to be encouraged in a democracy. What does offend me about his letter is the personal insult in his accusation that I lack an understanding of our parliamentary system.
On the contrary, I understand our parliamentary system very well; well enough that I am deeply concerned about its erosion.
I would like to expand on my statement that Corder took issue with concerning why I don’t believe the Stephen Harper government has a mandate to gut environmental protection.
Much to my chagrin, the environment did not register as an election issue last year.
Despite the Conservatives’ once-held view of openness and transparency, they were not open with Canadians before the election that they planned to repeal and amend environmental legislation and cut programs charged with ensuring a clean environment.
For example, had the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans said on May 1, 2011, what Minister Ashfield said on June 13, 2012: “... the amended Fisheries Act will provide flexibility and establish new tools to authorize deposits of deleterious substances,” I doubt the Conservatives would have gotten the majority they have today.
They certainly wouldn’t have gotten a seat in coastal B.C. that depends on the health of our fisheries rather than the wealth of the oil sands.
Dana Haggarty
Nanaimo
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