Office stunt sidetracks meat issue

Editorial Vernon Courier Oct 30 Managing editor Scott Neufeld

The possibility of a federal election appears to be dwindling, but it seems North Okanagan political hopefuls have their claws out anyway. Last Wednesday, the federal candidates representing the NDP and Green parties, Alice Brown and Huguette Allen held a protest outside Colin Mayes’ downtown office. But they weren’t protesting anything Mayes or his party had done, they were there voicing their disapproval for provincial meat regulations. Suspiciously, the protesters picked a day when Mayes was away from his office. So did they simply mistake Mayes’ office for MLA Tom Christensen’s or was this simply a case of political opportunism? This seemed to be a perfect opportunity to paint the sitting MP as an absentee politician, out of touch with his constituents. Never mind that he was in Ottawa for the Throne Speech.

There are dozens of issues the local Greens and NDP could protest in front of Mayes’ office, that they would pick one that had nothing to do with him is baffling. Likely with the swell of opposition to the provincial meat regulations, they felt it was an opportune moment to score some political points. Whether the issue is raised in Parliament is irrelevant. What matters is how the meat regulations are dealt with in Victoria. The provincial government has refused to budge on the issue, meaning that small meat producers are being cut out of the industry. If this issue is important to citizens then they should make their displeasure known to their local MLA. It’s counter-productive to try and embarrass the MP.

Had it been ordinary citizens enlisting the aid of the MP perhaps things would have been different. Mayes could talk to Christensen on behalf of his constituents who are unhappy with the changes. But when the movement is spearheaded by a pair of self-interested political candidates, then it becomes suspect. Hopefully Mayes will add his voice to those urging the provincial government to soften their meat regulations. However he doesn’t owe any explanation to his political opponents. They owe the public an explanation for why they would try and pull of such a stunt.