You are in a national debate of fundamental issues. (References to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms are pointed out below.) The issues need to be heard. Sadly, people are easily sidetracked in debate.

The art of debate is one of critical thinking. It is a skill in which many of us are not proficient. It's not that we are not capable, but that we have never had to debate with professional journalists and activists, most who have had long years of training and experience.

Your words, when not carefully prepared, become facts, (even though you might think them taken out of context) that others can use, either in print, or in a three second 'sound-byte'. Much of what we say is definitely intended in the best of ways. However, once a 'fact' is established, then that fact leads to a different argument, maybe one that three minutes later puts one in a difficult position.

It boils down to something like that trick question that goes "Have you stopped 'running around' yet?"

If YOU mentioned running around, the YOU have allowed entry where you might not want to be... Do not be lead in the heat of conversation.

An answer to such a question gets one in hot water either way.

The real, fundamental issues in this struggle have little to do with animals. It is a threat against business. It is a Threat Against Your Family. It is a Threat Against A Culture. I believe it against the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. (See Section 1 and 15.1) This goes beyond reasonable limits. This will come down to an argument of reasonable limits and we must ensure that we are understood.

There are three central issues. Leaving these issues subjects you to errors in logic in the heads of your observant listeners. Leave the media to a chosen spokesperson. Hold him/her accountable. Change when required. Think first, talk later. Those who wanted to hear have heard. Now we have to attract logical thinkers. We have to make sense.

Issue One:

The mechanisms and accountabilities of government are outrageously wrong. They allow lightning-strike action causing immediate and gross pain and destruction within an industry and a people.

This action disrupts an economy; it restricts an important contribution towards our Gross National Product (New money into Canada, not just Ontario.) It is political and economic negligence on the part of a government. It is concurrently irresponsible action on the part of the opposition when it comes to debate in the legislature. It is not understanding the consequences of letting a reading of a bill or act go unquestioned. Each sentence in a law; a bill, or act means something for the rest of its life. Usually beyond the span of a human life. Legislative debaters have lost sight of the meaning of constituent representation; of care for the little-guy. That is why we are here today. Our representatives did not look at the consequences of each sentence. And sentences they were. Instead, representatives rambled on, 'looking and sounding good' in front of the cameras during Question Period. At the readings, they were 'out to lunch!' This is the first issue. Faulty Process and Political Negligence. The process did not work with fact. It worked, and continues to work with undue influence by relatively and proportionally small special interest groups. Your government, your representatives allowed it. It goes beyond partisan politics. The process allowed it. It violates our country's principles.

Issue Two:

The economic impact of such a decision is immensely higher than anything you have heard in the media. Chapleau's Economic Development Officer, Marty Perdersen, interviewed on CBC Radio, Monday morning said that each dollar is circulated in the community about 9 times. What this means is that for that community, a loss of one dollar is equal to loosing 9 dollars. It does not go from you, to the restaurant, to the grocery store, to the local egg farmer, to the gas station, etc. etc. That dollar is GONE! In a larger economy it generates wealth many more than nine times. It is immense. It has been stopped.

I have estimated the impact at half a billion to two billion dollars over ten years. Banks loss future interest, properties are devalued, losses are taken on foreclosed properties. (Check it out on Project Friday) Again this is negligent change-management on the part of the government. They have cut a major segment out of your business year. The effects will last longer than ten years... They last forever. Market development takes a long time. Eco-Tourism is twenty years off. You will be DEAD! But in time, people will take a tour in black-fly season.... It can be marketed.... But it will take twenty years....

Issue Three:

This is a Threat Against Our Northern Culture. The actions put in place by this government have caused real and far greater pain and anguish to men, women and their families.

This government (See Sections 31 and 32 of Charter) has, in a short and sweet statement, issued on Friday Jan. 15, devalued your northern way of life forever more. They have taken away from you a means to your existence and your sense of pride. Your sense of independence. In effect, they have told the world that we are an undesirable sub-culture and being undesirable, it should be eliminated. Performed anywhere else in the world, both Canada and the UN would be outraged.

The most outrageous part of this is that the driving force behind this thinking sets itself on its own value-pedestal and, using mass persuasive marketing techniques, influences the rest of the population to 'see it their way' through a television or a newspaper. In any other country, Canada would be one of the first to state their outrage. But being in Canada, it is difficult to see ourselves. The Canadian Charter of Rights attempts to provide against this type of thing happening. Sadly we have let it happen because of complacency. Not only in Northern Ontario, but in Canada. I know my grandfather would be upset!

These are the issues... No others match these in immensity....(See Section 26 and 27 of Charter) The rest is irrelevant. Stay to the issues.... Avoid discussion beyond these...

Issue One

Issue Two

Issue Three