Letter to my MP

Journalists are saying these days the Harper government is as transparent as a brick, that our prime minister is preventing all his MPs of speaking publicly on any subject. I’ve recently put this theory to test by sending an e-mail to my own conservative MP in Lévis–Bellechasse, Mr. Steven Blaney, to ask him about his position on the environment front. It has been a week since then and I’m still waiting for an answer. The theory seems to confirm itself. It’s a little lame.

Here is a translation in English of my letter.

Subject: Environment cuts
Date: April 13, 2006
To: Blaney.S@parl.gc.ca

Mr. Steven Blaney, Member of Parlement for Lévis-Bellechasse,

Firstly, congratulation for your election last January. I hope this will give you the occasion in Parlement as a MP of the party forming the government to change things for the best in canadian politics. I also want to thank you for your outstanding particitation in my “Question d’élection” chronicle during the last campaign; I found this really impressing.

I’m writing to you about the cuts in the environmental programs, mainly in greenhouse gas reduction programs, as unveiled yesterday by The Gazette.

I’m recalling you said yourself in answer to my question about the environment (in French) last december that Canadians are eager to see the government invest more in this in environmental programs. You said:

In fact, according to a recent study from the Private Council, environment is at the top of Canadian’s preoccupations and they are interested in seeing the government invest in this sector massively.

Apparently I’m part of this majority of Canadians, and I’d like to signal my disagreement with the idea of massive cuts in this sector.

As you mentioned in response at the same question, greenhouse gas emissions will probably continue to grow in the next decades and this will obviously have some effect on life. Even if Canada cannot reach Kyoto protocol’s objectives in time, reducing atmospheric pollution can only improve our quality of life and health. I’m not exactly sure how removing funds for these programs can do any good.

I’d like to know what you think of all that. I’d also like to know how you can intervene in favor of environmental policies and if you count doing it.

Thank you and good luck with all your enterprises.

Michel Fortin