Dear Editor:
The Sept. 24 visit of Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to the North Shore was more than a response to the letter published only two weeks before by John Fraser and Dave Brown (Feds Must Act on Cohen Report, Sept 15). Her visit reflected two key elements of a healthy democracy - engaged citizens and a responsive government.
Fraser and Brown have demonstrated an exemplary passion for the protection and enhancement of a sustainable fishery. Articulate and well-versed on fisheries issues, they and other volunteers have in response to my invitation assembled on a regular basis over the last four years in what we have come to know as the Sea to Sky Fisheries Roundtable.
Theirs is the role of a "vigilant citizenry." As someone once said, the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. The Roundtable has through its efforts helped me effect a solid record of measurable results in the fisheries; results that occurred partly through their efforts, and partly because we have a government that listens, and responds. The guidance has been patriotic, nonpartisan, sometimes critical, but always constructive.
I am proud of Minister Shea as she came and met with our Roundtable so soon after Fraser and Brown published their letter, a letter that was as critical as it was constructive. Minister Shea showed up and received deserved praise for helping implement some of the things we in the riding have supported through her consistent dialogue.
The Roundtable also asked the Minister to move forward on other things, notably, to provide a response to the Cohen Report.
Given her track record in responding to local constituents, I have no doubt that she took seriously the requests that were put before her.
John Weston, M.P.
West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country
