Editor:
I notice that MP Weston considers meeting with select Coast groups in controlled environments to be bringing the federal government "closer."
I also notice that Weston has been firmly lined up with his Conservative colleagues to stop the parliamentary committee reviewing election act changes from travelling and hearing Canadian concerns. Now Mr. Weston's direct public input into a most significant issue - the essence of how we are governed -would close the distance.
This is not a small matter. Outside of the Conservative caucus there appears absolutely no support for these changes and, in fact, many dire warnings from experts. Not the least of these is Canada's chief electoral officer. According to the Globe and Mail, he thinks the Fair Elections Act would: disenfranchise voters, give political parties advantages over others, hand them too much information, hinder the power of investigators and muzzle what he can say publicly.
I understand you may need advantages to secure re-election next year, but I would suggest the very essence of our democratic process is more important.
Why in the world, given your "closer" slogan, are you part of the gang trying to push these changes through without full debate and inquiry?
Paul Johnston,
Roberts Creek
