IS PARLIAMENT RELEVANT?

One of the great things about Canada has always been its parliamentary democracy. Sadly, all has changed on May 1, when the minority government marginalized Parliament, acted like a politburo and used an order in council to ban and confiscate honest, proud Canadians' legally purchased and taxed firearms. The eventual cost to the taxpayers will be in the billions.

In a Parliament, such as Canada’s, we have traditionally had bills introduced to the House of Commons, debated, reviewed by committee, amended and voted upon. Citizens may also review the bills prior to the vote, consult their member of Parliament to express their thoughts on the proposed legislation, follow the transparent process and see their MP stand to vote. If you choose you can also visit the House of Commons and witness democracy in person. The process continues again in the Senate. Regrettably none of the above happened.

What about the next time and what personal property will be seized? Your home or your RRSP? Will full-size pickup trucks be limited to only those we can prove a need to use? Do you want the government serving the citizens or the citizens serving government? Do you want democracy, debate and transparency or dictatorship, single-party rule and secrecy? Do our leaders see value in Parliament or view it as a nuisance? For sure as of May 1, your right of freedom to participate in an open process has just become much more limited. Vaughan Davies Charlottetown