Dear Sir/Madam,
I was quite surprised to see a press release by Reform MP Eric Lowther printed, without editorial commentary, on page 2 of the December issue of the Summit. The transition of the Summit from community newspaper to mouthpiece for right wing politicians was rather abrupt. I have read the Summit regularly for over ten years and had not seen any warning signs -- just this bombshell.
I could not quite believe it. That is why I am sending this e-mail to ask for clarification. Is the Summit a community newspaper or a mouthpiece for right wing politicians? I would appreciate a reply by return e-mail.
If the Summit is still a community newspaper, I urge the editor to treat the community to some facts and refrain from the publication of fed-bashing calls for tax cuts without editorial commentary. Facts like the following, taken from an article by Dalton Camp in the December 1999 issue of the CCPA Monitor published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, could be considered.
“Ekos Research published a poll last summer asking Canadians what the public priorities of the federal government should be. Overwhelmingly, health care and education were named first, followed by child poverty, economic productivity, improved family and child support, and debts and deficits, in that order, while ‘tax cuts' were next to last, just before ‘national unity'.”
In closing, I would like to wish you and all those who contribute to producing the Summit a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
John Armstrong.
Editor responds:
The Carlington Summit has always been and will continue to be a community paper for all.