I'd like to commend you for diverting your plane to Cyprus to bring home some of the Canadians escaping the violence in Lebanon. It was the right thing to do. I'm also pleased to see steady progress in bringing others out via ships. However, your government is doing something very wrong in the face of this crisis.
Forcing families to leave behind their pets is not only cruel and barbaric, it also appears to go against what you and your family personally believe. Are you not the same Harpers who have taken in foster cats until permanent homes can be found? Then you are well aware of the plight of animals left to fend for themselves. How can you let this happen? Now rescue agencies are scrambling to get these poor, no doubt frantic, confused and hungry animals some food and water and eventually, for those that survive, new homes in which to live. I am appalled that Canada has not taken a more humane approach in understanding that pets are not just inanimate things - they're part of the family. I can tell you now, with certainty, that I would rather stay behind and take my chances with my dog, than abandon her to an uncertain future. These animals are dependent on their people and leaving them on their own is simply heartless and inexcusable. I'm very disappointed.
Yours truly, Lisa Brandt, Toronto.
Dear Ms. Brandt:
On behalf of the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail.
Thank you for writing to the Prime Minister. You may be assured that your comments have been carefully reviewed and are appreciated. For more information on the Government's initiatives, you may wish to visit the Prime Minister's Web site, at www.pm.gc.ca.
L.A. Lavell
Executive Correspondence Officer for the Prime Minister's Office. Agent de correspondence de la haute direction pour le Cabinet du Premier ministre.