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Sustainable
eNews |
March 2003 |
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IWMC
World Conservation Trust |
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Politician nearly
Seals his Fate
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Jack Layton represents Newfoundland's New Democrat
Party in Ottawa. The NDP has had a consistent policy of support for the
annual seal hunt, because otherwise, it would find itself without a job.
Imagine the surprise of Newfoundlanders when Jack Layton's office hired a
new chief of staff named Richard Smith. This is the same Rick Smith who
until recently, had been Canadian director of the International Fund for
Animal Welfare's anti-seal hunt campaign. Imagine the chagrin of Mr. Layton
when he discovered that such a stupid choice had been made by his own
people, and that he had approved it, not realizing that this Richard Smith
in the NDP was worse than letting the fox have charge of the henhouse.
How on earth could an astute, in-touch
politician make such an egregious error? The answer has to be that Mr.
Layton is not a particularly astute politician, or he would have instantly
recognized the lunacy of such an appointment. Also, his staff must
themselves be far out of touch with the needs and the reality of their  constituents
back on The Rock, or perhaps, they just considered it unimportant that this
Richard Smith had until recently, been an active adversary of their
constituents, causing them continuing stress and economic harm.
One would have to conclude that Mr. Layton
and his entire staff were totally hoodwinked, because of their ignorance of
the significance of Rick Smith in the world of Newfoundland's cultural
heritage and economic welfare. We wish the Newfoundland sealers well in the
coming days, as they prepare for the annual harp seal hunt. At least their
representative in Ottawa can now rest assured that his staff will not
further embarrass him, since Rick Smith is no longer employed there. Lesson
learned, and maybe now a suitable and honest person will be found to carry
out the duties of the chief of staff to Mr. Jack Layton, NDP rep for the
people of Newfoundland. 
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