Dear Editor,

Thank you for reminding your readers of our MP Ms. Chatel’s promise to lift all federal internal trade barriers by Canada Day. On this it appears that the Liberal government (of which she is a member) has achieved this goal in a legislative act known as Bill C-5.

However, the more pressing issue (barriers between provincial governments that I advocated against) remains in place. The editor is correct, that there is no need for me to congratulate Ms. Chatel, as Bill C-5 is at best a half-measure that does not resolve the problem that affects all Pontiac citizens in one form or another.

The editor also rightly points out that while Bill C-5 falls short on internal trade, it is very robust and ambitious in energizing the Canadian economy. As both the Prime Minister and a federal cabinet minister have stated, “Canada needs a wartime effort” to reinvigorate itself. However, this bill, with its wide scope (which in theory I agree with) is loose in practice. I see the potential for manipulation, favouritism and fraud, owing to the fact that the government will be able to expedite projects with limited oversight.

I have no issue with a “wartime effort,” but not with cabinet having wartime powers in which consultation and oversight are lacking. In the rush to solve problems, it is not uncommon to discover, after the fact, someone getting paid more than what was deserved, thereby doing a disservice to the public taxpayer and the wealth and growth of the nation.

So, I fear that when I do pick up the phone to contact Ms. Chatel, it will not be for a congratulatory message but rather to express displeasure on the looseness of her government’s handling of files relating to Bill C-5.

Todd Hoffman, Campbell’s Bay