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Dear Senator Patterson,
With all due respect, I have been following this bill very closely. For months we have been waiting for Senator Neufeld to pick up debate on this bill and despite inquiries from the Liberal Senate he has failed to do so. You claim that it was not the Conservative Senate’s intention to “avoid the usual thoughtful process.” I am sorry, but Neufeld’s actions suggest otherwise.
I understand that Senator Mitchell was suggesting that the bill move to committee when the government in the Senate called for its vote. A great deal of confusion followed. It is up to the Government in the Senate to call for a vote, yes? If the Government in the Senate was truly interested in the usual thoughtful process, would it not make sense to pick up debate on the bill or move it along to committee?
Prime Minister Harper’s comments in the House of Commons yesterday also give me pause. He claims the bill was not worth pursuing anyway, which runs completely counter to respect for the usual thoughtful process, not to mention respect for the will of the majority of our elected representatives.
This business of blaming the Liberals over this is matter is quite frankly shameful. It comes across as childish and opportunistic. I’m not buying, and I know a lot of Canadians aren’t buying either.
Sincerely,
Cheryl McNamara
PIs it really necessary to print this e-mail? Think green…
From: Patterson, Dennis [mailto:patted@SEN.PARL.GC.CA]
Sent: November 18, 2010 7:59 AM
To: 'cherylmcnamara@rogers.com'
Subject: Re: What happened to Bill C-311?
Sent: November 18, 2010 7:59 AM
To: 'cherylmcnamara@rogers.com'
Subject: Re: What happened to Bill C-311?
Dear Madam,
It was Liberal Senators who precipitated the vote on Bill C 311. We were prepared to have the bill referred to Committee for careful consideration of all its implications.
By forcing a vote on second reading, Senator Mitchell and his colleagues forced us to take a stand on the Bill without the usual study and review. It was surprising and reckless behaviour on their part.
Yes, we had reservations about whether the bill was realistic and practical, but it was not our intention to avoid the usual thoughtful process.
Thanks for your concern.
Dennis Patterson
Senator for Nunavut
It was Liberal Senators who precipitated the vote on Bill C 311. We were prepared to have the bill referred to Committee for careful consideration of all its implications.
By forcing a vote on second reading, Senator Mitchell and his colleagues forced us to take a stand on the Bill without the usual study and review. It was surprising and reckless behaviour on their part.
Yes, we had reservations about whether the bill was realistic and practical, but it was not our intention to avoid the usual thoughtful process.
Thanks for your concern.
Dennis Patterson
Senator for Nunavut
From: Cheryl McNamara <cherylmcnamara@rogers.com>
To: Cheryl McNamara <cherylmcnamara@rogers.com>
Sent: Wed Nov 17 21:48:47 2010
Subject: What happened to Bill C-311?
Dear Senators,
I am still in shock over the surprise vote on Bill C-311 and its demise. This bill was passed by the elected House of Commons and deserved debate and committee review in the Senate. My understanding is that only the Government in the Senate can call for a vote on a bill. Why did Conservative Senators delay debate on this bill and why was it put to a vote before due process?
This action casts a negative light on Canada’s democratic process, and leadership on one of the most pressing issues of our time.
As a citizen, I am appalled by the Senate’s disregard for the will of our elected representatives. I have also lost faith in this government’s ability to rise to the challenge of transitioning to a low carbon economy.
Sincerely,
Cheryl McNamara
86 Doncaster Avenue
Toronto, ON
PIs it really necessary to print this e-mail? Think green…
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