Hon. Sheila Copps
Minister of Heritage
Ottawa, Ont.
Dear Sheila,
Well, you’ve really done it this time. I know that you’ve run into a fair amount of controversy in the past, but I must say I’ll be very impressed if you can extricate yourself from the mess of trouble you wandered into this time.
With one little bill (C-55: the magazine legislation), you managed to anger and alienate representatives of the largest industries in the country, members of your own caucus, the opposition benches, and last but not least, the United States Congress. If this was your goal, then congrats. If not, then maybe you should reconsider your priorities before you force through a short-sighted, unpopular bill.
Either way, you’re knee-deep in it now, and you have to climb out somehow. By far the easiest solution is to simply withdraw this inane legislation and get to work on some serious propaganda explaining your actions to the public — to whom, by the way, you’re still accountable. It wouldn’t be the first time the Canadian government has backed down in the face of opposition; no-one actually expects you to defeat our neighbours to the south in any kind of dispute.
The U.S. has threatened major industries such as steel, plastic and textiles with dire consequences if the Canadian government insists on pushing through the magazine bill. The steel business poured $11 billion into the economy and supported 33,000 direct jobs in 1997. No rational individual would choose to support the relatively small magazine industry over one that has those kind of numbers to back up its claims. Apparently, Ms. Copps, you do — even though your own riding is home to one of the largest steel plants in the country.
The only way to salvage even a backbencher’s job after this fiasco passes is to abandon any silly notions about this legislation you seem so dedicated to. Sure, you’ll undoubtedly lose the respect of your colleagues in cabinet, but how much do you command now? For the welfare of the Canadian economy, your government and to a lesser extent your own career, drop this bill and stop trying to play the role of the small kid who stands up to the schoolyard bully. Accept the fact that this particular bully will always have your number, and hand over your lunch money like a good little cabinet minister.