IT'S THE HYPOCRISY THAT IS MOST INFURIATING

I received yesterday an e-mail Press Release. This Release was in regard to the Jefferson Salamander issue in Kitchener's Hidden Valley. The title of the Press Release is "Hidden Facts Re: Hidden Valley and Jefferson Salamander". The contact person for more information is a Mr. Neil Taylor at neiletaylor@sympatico.ca .

This page and a quarter factsheet provides disturbing information. There appears to be fairly strong legislation mandating protection for endangered species from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). The problem seems to be one that we come up against all the time here in Elmira. That is simply put the ability to be able to distort or shift scientific data to one's own viewpoint. It also appears as if the MNR are only too willing to protect the powerful and influential which in this instance hardly includes the Jefferson Salamander.

More environmental legislation whether protecting groundwater or endangered species isn't always the answer. Of far greater importance is having government oversight bodies whose duty and loyalty is to their mandate rather than to their political bosses in Cabinet.