Throne speech was an utter disappointment

Oct 24, 2007

Below is a copy of a letter sent to Tony Clement:

My name is Jesse Winter. I am a 20-year-old athlete on the National Cross Country Ski Team, as well as a political science student at Athabasca University. I am writing to you today to express my outrage at Mr. Harper's recent speech from the throne.

As an up-and-coming athlete in a winter sport, I think it is totally unacceptable that your leader continues to ignore Canadian sentiments and refuses to ratify the Kyoto accord. Not only does this continually detract from Canada's reputation as a forward-thinking nation with regard to climate change, it flies directly in the face of what Canadians really want. To think that Harper's proposed "intensity targets" plan will solve the problem, or even make a dent, is pure fallacy.

No one is buying the argument that this is anything but Harper once again spinelessly falling into line with the American administrations’ beliefs. In following in Bush's footsteps, Harper is seriously endangering our world, not to mention Canada's chances at Olympic glory in 2010.

Exactly how do you, or Harper, expect athletes like myself to train for the upcoming winter games when the few glaciers we are permitted to train on during the summer months are melting? Perhaps you should visit the Haig Glacier just outside Canmore, Alberta. I have been to that facility three times in three years, and the amount of melting that is evident in those three short years makes my stomach turn.

Last year, our world championship team was sent home from Italy in January because the races were cancelled due to lack of snow. Whistler Village was green well into their usual profit making season. In short, Mr. Clement, the world is warming up a