MPs tight-lipped

Anonymous — April 1983

According to a Toronto Star poll conducted in February, Prime Minister Trudeau and External Affairs Minister Allan MacEachen were among a two-thirds majority of MPs refusing to say yes or no to cruise tests in Canada.

The most adamant “No” reported in a Star article dated March 16 came from another Liberal, Irenee Pelletier (MP — Sherbrooke). “To permit an American neighbour to test the cruise in our back yard it totally ridiculous.” Pelletier said. “We can’t be a part of those who wish to spread the atomic bomb. Sooner or later we could blow this planet up. It’s got to stop.”

The strongest “Yes” reply in favour of cruise tests also came from a Liberal MP — Jesse Flis (Parkdale — High Park) approves of cruise testing in Canada because he said he was “elected to represent my constituency. They are practically 100% behind me on this issue.” Two days after Flis’s statement appeared in the Star several Parkdale constituents picketed his riding office in Toronto. In addition, CANDIS has received calls from Parkdale residents asking for his Ottawa address. You can write to him in care of the House of Commons, Ottawa KIA 0A6, and the postage is free. Parkdale for Peace. a community based group, would also like to hear from you. Contact Rob Fairley at xxx-xxxx or Lisa Makardiuk at xxx-xxxx.

Only four Tories out of 101 questioned said they opposed cruise tests. Most. including Joe Clark, refused to say yes or no. Tory leadership candidates David Crombie, John Gamble and Michael Wilson said they favoured the tests.

All NDP MPs questioned said they are against the testing of the cruise.

What you can do

Your opinion does count, and you can make it heard in a number of ways. Here are a few:

Walk for peace. Join a demonstration.. In April, thousands of people in cities across Canada will walk for peace. The peace movement involves all kinds of people and that it its primary strength. Demonstrations are happy, positive events attended by young and old, rich and poor, religious and atheist; in short, a broad representation of society united for one reason, the preservation of life. Throughout history, demonstrations have played an essential role in bringing about change. Numbers are important and we are all equal participants. See you on April 23!
Write to your Member of Parliament. MPs are elected to represent us — their constituents. You may not realise how much power each citizen has but elected officials are very aware of it. You elected your MP and you can vote him or her right out again in the next election.
If enough letters and petitions are sent to MPs, they do stand up and take notice. After all, they want to get reelected. Remember, if you ignore your MP, your MP will ignore you. Address letters and postcards as follows:
M.P.(name) House of Commons Ottawa KIA 0A6
Also, telephone calls to Ottawa are quick and cost only $.60 a minute. Give the Prime Minister’s assistants an earful or call the Minister of External Affairs, Allan MacEachen at 613-xxx-xxxx.If you want to find out who your M.P. is, call your local Canada Service Bureau. There are many more ways that you can make a difference. After you have tried all these ideas. call CANDIS or visit us in the Peace Chapel and we’ll suggest even more!

The Peace Calendar

Canadian Disarmament Information Service, 1983-1984

MPs tight-lipped

What you can do