I agree with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's response to the release of the Ethics Commissioner’s report that this was never an ethics issue. He's right. The issue is whether or not we live in a democracy. To suggest that the very people who elected Mr. Emerson are now engaged in demeaning his fine record of public service is just plain silly. Mr. Emerson's merits or the lack thereof are not the issue. The issue is that he does not have a mandate from the voters to a seat in the House of Commons as a Conservative let alone hold a Cabinet Post as one. The only honourable action Mr. Emerson can take is to face the voters in a by-election. In the meantime Mr. Emerson need only look in the mirror to see who is demeaning is fine record of public service.

Shannon Steele
Vancouver-Kingsway