Dear Editor,
This is in response to both the article on the firing of a Jasper Parks Senior Scientist and the Editorial from same issue.
I do not know Mr. Wilmshurst nor am I familiar with his scientific endeavours on behalf of Parks Canada. Therefore I will not speculate on the importance or necessity of his past science research as it related to Parks Canada's ecosystem. I will however “condemn” the unsubstantiated attacks on the Federal government that are fuelled by naked political opportunism as exhibited by election candidates Kuzminski and Maguhn and former Parks Canada employees that seek to oust the current federal government based on speculation and conjecture.
Why was Mr. Wilmshurst dismissed? Parks Canada will not disclose to the public internal, human resource matters and that is as it should be. Mr. Wilmshurst has apparently taken a vow of silence and that is his choice, again, as it should be.
But despite the lack of clear, evidentiary statements from either side most choose to ride the train of speculation and rumour with no evidence required in order to smear and disparage a government to satisfy their own agendas. It is disgraceful. It is dishonest and disingenuous. But it is unfortunately too commonplace in the world of politics and the Interwebz. And it is also unfortunate that Mr. Wilmshurst is apparently caught in this political web.
I am a huge advocate of science. I believe in the scientific method. Science is humankind's guiding light. But does anyone not recognize the elephant-sized irony in the room? Science is based on evidence, testing and retesting and not on hearsay and speculation.
To the editorial board of the Fitzhugh I ask where is the evidence that Canada’s “science capacity (should be) reinstated” (what does this even mean) and scientists are in fear of “disciplinary action”?
Where is the evidence of “muzzling” (the current popular derogatory meme) and what exactly are the “issues” that need to be tackled? And I ask anyone, should Canadian scientists be given carte blanche to study and research whatever they want? Without government intervention and mediation? Who will decide what science pursues? After all, it is the taxpayers that pay for all this research.
Jim Mannella
Jasper, Alta.
