Dear Editor,

MP Randy Kamp accuses the opposition parties of playing politics to hold up important bills [Years of neglect being corrected, Oct. 30 Letters, TIMES].

Let's look at the record of our Conservative government. While in power with a minority government, the Conservatives twice prorogued Parliament, once to avoid a non-confidence vote and another time to shut down debate, moves unprecedented in our Canadian parliamentary system. Now that the Conservatives, with only 37 per cent of the popular vote, have a majority government, they are bundling hundreds of unrelated bills which should be debated individually into omnibus bills, and when the opposition justifiably refuses to vote in favour, the Harper government limits debate and accuses the opposition of playing politics.

Mr. Kamp spouts government rhetoric, a subject he should be an authority on, as he makes nearly $180,000 a year as parliamentary secretary to the Fisheries Minister he appears reluctant to speak about. When presented with questions by members of Maple Ridge council and representatives of local environmental organizations to clarify sections of Bill C38 and its implications to local government in regards to the bill taking away fish habitat protection and other environmental concerns, apparently he read from prepared notes and was unable to answer questions to anyone's satisfaction.

Yes, playing politics. The Conservatives have elevated it to an art form, and our Canadian democratic system is at its lowest in memory.

Doug Stanger, Maple Ridge