Editor:
Re: Weston breaks party ranks over NDP member’s derelict vessels bill (Coast Reporter, May 22).
Well, we’ve been waiting years for our MP, John Weston, to “break ranks” with his leaders in Ottawa, and it’s finally happened!
Is he concerned about the muzzling of scientists, the restrictive new directions in security, the eroding of environmental assessments? Nope.
Did he stand up against the sweeping changes that those omnibus bills have caused to the Canadian way of life? Nope.
Is he concerned that the only way the Conservatives could “balance” the budget was to rob the contingency fund and sell off GM shares while still offering corporations the lowest corporate tax rate in the developed world? Nope.
Is he noticing that a majority of Canadians don’t want fracking, new pipelines and more tar sands oil sent offshore? Did he complain when Canada pulled out of the Kyoto accord and has been roundly condemned for its lack of attention to CO2 reduction? No, and no.
He has proudly broken ranks about the existence of derelict vessels! Now, no fine upstanding citizen of this riding wants ghost ships floating about in our bays, but really, Mr. Weston — do you actually think that the free publicity gained by this little trick at just the right pre-election moment will gain you more votes?
Gail Riddell, Sechelt
