Trail Daily Times Friday, February 24, 2012
www.trailtimes.ca A7
LETTERS & OPINION LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Order of B.C. honours excellence The Order of British Columbia offers British Columbians a golden opportunity to take part in the public recognition of individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement, excellence and distinction in their particular fields of endeavour. Nominations are now being received for the 2012 Order of British Columbia. If you know anyone in this community who has truly led by example, I encourage you to nominate them for the Order of British Columbia. The deadline for nominations is 5 p.m., March 10, 2012 but
nominations will be accepted up to 5p.m, March 12 due to March 10 falling on a weekend. An independent Advisory Council, chaired by the Chief Justice of British Columbia will consider nominations. Since 1990, 317 British Columbians from all walks of life and many regions of the province have received the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest award. Nomination forms are available from the Honours and Awards Secretariat in Victoria (250-356-1105), the Order of BC web site at www.order-
ofbc.gov.bc.ca, or your nearest Government Agent. Honours and Awards Secretariat, P.O. Box 9422, Stn. Prov. Govt, Victoria, BC V8W 9V1 Or phone: (250) 387-1616 fax: (250) 356-2814 Here is your opportunity to participate in the appointment of deserving British Columbians to the Order of British Columbia. The process begins with a nomination. Thank you for making it happen. Katrine Conroy, MLA Kootenay West
P E P P E R C O R N
STEAKHOUSE
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of reach to Canadians a wealth of information, something particularly relevant in the area of scientific research on issues of national concern. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, representing 23,000 federal scientists, has sent an open letter to the Harper government urging it to reopen the lines of communication and let scientists speak about their work without the censoring of the government’s communications and political staff, who massage material to conform to “political messaging.� The letter notes the heavyhanded control of information has produced absurd examples of federal scientists being barred from speaking publicly, even about published work - the breadth of holes in the ozone layer and a virus threatening the stocks of B.C. salmon. It is legitimate for govern-
ments to control their messages and they must have a chance to review research before public release. Policy proposals and draft legislation are tied to an administration. Advice to ministers is protected. But public understanding of the legitimacy of laws and necessity of services require the free flow of information, and media are critical to that relationship. Scientists produce research for the benefit of the country, not the employer of the day. Transparency and accountability demand that information flow freely. The Harper government should lift from scientists its 2007 protocol, which effectively bars them from speaking freely publicly. A government that acts as if it owns information gathered for and paid by citizens does a disservice to the public, the civil service and democracy - and it invites suspicion.
Veterans deserve straight answers An editorial from the Truro Daily News An ombudsman for veterans is speaking out against Veteran’s Affairs for inadequate explanations they’ve been giving to soldiers denied disability coverage. It appears the accusations are just. According to a report released Monday by ombudsmen Guy Parent, a review of letters from Veteran Affairs to soldiers who were denied disability coverage, revealed that none of the letters gave adequate explanations for the denial. According to the report, 15 per cent gave no explanation at all and many others simply cited legislation. This isn’t the first time that rights of disabled soldiers has
become an issue. Parent has also reported that many injured soldiers are often not told of all of the benefits and allowances they are entitled to and just last November a class-action suit against Ottawa was held at a Federal court in Halifax over the same issues. For the 2,000 soldiers injured in the 10-year mission in Afghanistan and the thousands more who suffer from mental health issues as a result of their service, this is of great importance and Parent is right to bring the issue to light. While certainly Veterans Affairs has a right to determine whether or not a person qualifies for a disability claim, the
people applying equally have a right to know why they were denied. As Parent has pointed out, the vague responses given by Veterans Affairs often hinders the applicants’ ability to appeal a decision. Nova Scotia has a proud history of military contributions around the world. In order to honour that history and preserve those traditions for the future, it’s essential that we treat our soldiers with the respect they deserve. They put their health and lives on the line while they serve. The least we can do as a nation is ensure they get the proper access to treatment and disability coverage when they return.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Trail Daily Times welcomes letters to the editor from our readers on topics of interest to the community. Include a legible first and last name, a mailing address and a telephone number where the author can be reached. Only the author’s name and district will be published. Letters lacking names and a verifiable phone number will not be published. A guideline of 500 words is suggested for letter length. You may also e-mail your letters to editor@trailtimes.ca We look forward to receiving your opinions.
BAR
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Time to remove the gag order An editorial from the Winnipeg Free Press Minority government is a difficult animal to manage, with every move offering fodder for the opposition to seize and exploit. It was understandable then that the early years of the Harper administration were characterized by a rigid control of media access, tight-lipped ministers and “reporting lines� that gagged civil servants. It is time, however, that the Tories in Ottawa loosened up. A majority government is not under constant threat of dissolution. Yet the continuing stranglehold on information in the vast warren of government departments is evident to those in the media who are constrained by message managers demanding questions in writing in advance, which are vetted by senior department staff, and who get rare access to interviews with civil servants. This puts out
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