An open letter to MP John Weston, MLA Nicholas Simons and SCRD Area A director Frank Mauro:
This letter is sent with the utmost respect for the integrity of the individuals addressed.
I am a citizen of Canada, a resident of British Columbia and the Sunshine Coast Regional District and, as such, I address these comments to you, my representatives in our federal, provincial and regional governments.
The citizens of Canada living in the Pender Harbour area are being asked to accept another layer of government and regulation in which we have no participatory rights. Giving an unrepresentative body authority over citizens of Canada is not democracy. I am not even sure it is legal. To further give this body monopoly rights to perform certain scientific tasks for a fee is beyond comprehension.
I hear from you, our representatives, that you have no control in this issue, and you all appear to be sitting on your collective hands while our basic democratic rights are being eroded. Let me say to you that you have the moral authority of having been elected by us to represent us. You have a moral obligation to support us in this matter. It is your job to speak openly and loudly in support of your constituents, not sit idly by while this injustice is handed out.
It is the job of our government to consult with and accommodate the First Nations. It is not in the government mandate to pass administration of Crown lands to a third party. Having citizens deal directly with the First Nations (a non-representative body) is like giving the church or the state of Washington control of our affairs.
We find this whole process an affront to democracy.
With due respect, I request you get with the program and support your constituents in Pender Harbour, speak well and lobby on our behalf.
Gordon M. Campbell, Madeira Park
