Would MP pass values test?
Dr. Leitch,
We have never met but in your capacity as my MP I have written to you on numerous occasions since 2011, directly and in the form of open letters published in a number of newspapers in our riding. You have never replied nor delegated your office staff, paid for by Canadian taxpayers, to reply.
Given that some of these messages were best wishes for Christmas and others were discussions about policies that you held when you were in government then we must ask: Is your lack of courtesy and professionalism, as underscored in your failure as an elected official to reply at least once, a Canadian value?
The Canadian government’s website for people applying for visas to Canada states, “The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of Canada’s Constitution and protects you from the moment you arrive in Canada. It sets out the values that Canadians live by and describes the kinds of personal human rights and freedoms we can expect in this country.”
The two most important ones from my personal vantage point are: Freedom of conscience and religion and freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media.
A good Libertarian, one of the solid traditions of true Conservatism, must ask with trepidation which person gets to quantify what values are Canadian, who gets to test them and who weights the value of each failure to comply?
You captured the Conservative seat from Helena Guergis. She was unfortunately, during that sordid period, denied her presumption of innocence as legally guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If a sitting Member of Parliament is not guaranteed the presumption of innocence then what hope is for the rest of us to have our rights protected?
We are both Canadians but I am willing to bet with no hesitation if you ever replied to my letters that we do not share all the same personal values. I respect that you exist and hope that you share my love of diversity found in the freedom of thought and feel the same respect towards others that do not share your values.
What Canada is about, and it is tough to accept, is that I must respect your personal values and not restrict your right to hold them.
In return you must respect my values and not restrict my right to hold them if and when they are different than yours. We both also must respect and adhere to the laws of Canada whether we are born here, move here or just visiting. Our rights and freedoms and the body of laws to enforce them are common but are values are not nor ever should be the same.
I wish you all the best but will not wait by the post box for a reply.
John Gruetzner,
Creemore.
