Copy of the email I just sent to my MP, Randy Kamp

Dear Randy

I am troubled by this and expect you to stand up for your constituents in the face of what, in the absence of real information, can only be taken as a cover-up of government/bureaucratic malfeasance. 

Vancouver Sun Newspaper: Feds silence scientist over salmon study

As a member of the Canadian public in general and the scientific and conservation community in particular I cannot adequately express my disgust at the government interference in the discussion of public-funded information resources such as that created by Margaret Munro. This is not the first time this has happened, and I have personally spoken to some of those affected by such interference.

While the government of Canada continues to fund excursions to remove repressive regimes such as Afghanistan on the one hand, on the other hand it continues to create exactly such a regime here in Canada (the lawful access proposed legislation being another such example, but that's for another day)

The ongoing repression of our science community's ability to "tell it like it is" about what is going on with our resources and world hampers the electorate's ability to judge for itself if our government is doing what we want it to do. In the absence of good data we can only assume the worst; that government is actively screwing things up and repressing the data to hide this fact.

Please understand - the world has changed. Repression is met with subversion of the repressor. The "Arab Spring" movement should give all governments pause to think; your actions will be found out and broadcast to the world and you will be dropped from power. The only way to deal with today's open communications world is to be open and up front from the start.

WikiLeaks and other whistle-blower encouragement systems will find the truth eventually - and sooner rather than later judging by recent activities in that sphere.

Please encourage your leadership to adopt a completely open and above-board governance from top to bottom of the bureaucracy, including all government boards, offices and politicians, because failing to do that now will lead to embarrassment in the future without any doubt.

richard