Letter to the Editor

On Wednesday, David Wilks made a statement defending his record as an MP, and his handling of the Canal Flats mill closure. In his letter, he claimed that I have misrepresented his 4.5 years as MP, that I have attacked him personally, and made unfounded accusations about him.

I am happy to restate exactly what I said about his response to the closure of the mill in Canal Flats. I said that when it was announced that Canfor was closing this operation, a serious blow to the Village of Canal Flats, and significant loss of employment in the region, the first thing that I would have done as MP would be to pick up the phone and call the Mayor to show my support for the community.

Mr. Wilks has yet to contact Mayor Ute Juras to talk to her about the mill closing. He has not indicated to her any action that he has taken to support the community, nor has he expressed sympathy with the community’s plight.

In contrast, the first thing I did when I heard that news was to call Mayor Juras, because I believe that Kootenay politicians need to work together and support each other.

In his letter, Mr. Wilks claimed that he has handled every request for assistance that his office has received efficiently and without delay. I say that the voters of Kootenay-Columbia will be the judges of that.

I stand by my words. And I promise, unreservedly, that I will be the kind of Member of Parliament who picks up the phone, who is present in the community in good times and bad, and who supports political leadership in every community.

On October 19, voters in Kootenay-Columbia have a clear choice to make. Do they want four more years of Stephen Harper and the Conservatives, or are they ready for change?

Wayne Stetski,

NDP Candidate for Kootenay-Columbia

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