Editor:
After reading “Simons, muzzled, lashes out at Liberals” (Coast Reporter, June 6), I couldn’t help but think of my own dealings with our MLA.
A few years back he had a different outburst — but this one was directed at me. It was Labour Day in Dougall Park, and it happened just after I reminded Simons of his lack of enthusiasm for Lost Canadians — despite at the time his being the NDP Citizenship and Human Rights critic.
As a candidate, he promised me his support, which, after the election, evaporated like morning dew on a really hot summer’s day. In front of young children, he tossed me a few choice words. It was shocking how quickly he lost his composure.
But that said, for being muzzled, he should be angry. In the last few weeks, this same thing happened to me, not once but twice in Ottawa — both in the House of Commons and in the Senate.
Democracy demands free and open debate. Something has gone very wrong in Canadian politics, federally and provincially.
Don Chapman, Gibsons
