Consultation Study Wastes Tax Dollars
(This article was published in the Times Transcript in Moncton, The Telegraph Journal in Saint John and The Sackville Tribune Press in Sackville, NB)
ll the premier had to do was tell his caucus members bring to his office all the letters they have received from their constituents over the past two years, ask his research staff to provide him with a copy off the letters written to editors of all the New Brunswick newspapers and he would have all the material required for consulting with those he supposely wishes to hear from, at very little cost or none at all.
This government’s sudden urge to consult with New Brunswickers lacks creditability because of past practices; firstly, it takes weeks even months to get answers from government representatives, both elected and non elected, to letters submitted by voters, I have heard of some never getting answered. Secondly the responses that are received, in most of the examples I have seen, indicate the government has always been always right and has been totally justified in what has done. Thus leaving the concerned citizens of New Brunswick impression they had no justification for their concerns and should not be questioning the government, it’s officials or it’s leader.
As I see the situation, the one positive thing about the study it was not paid for from the Environmental Trust Fund, as far as we know, up to now.
The cheapest and most effective consultation is to use what you have and lesson to what is being said —– Hello Mr. Premier.
WG Macx MacNichol
Dorchester, NB
