SMOKE SCREEN

Ottawa -- Each day members of Parliament meet with constituents, local
community organizations, advocacy groups and others who are concerned about
government policies. In addition, we meet with visiting delegations from
other countries, their embassies and counsellor staff.

It should therefore come as no surprise to anyone that we would meet with
one of the leading experts on the war on drugs when he recently visited
Parliament Hill (How Far Will MPs Go To Torpedo A Bill? -- editorial, Aug.
20). The meeting was arranged at the initiative of the U.S. embassy and
allowed several MPs to have a frank discussion on issues that affect both
Canadians and Americans. Media reports that suggest the meeting was
intended to thwart the Canadian legislative process are a smoke screen to
prevent real debate on an important policy issue.

The real significance of the meeting is that MPs are becoming more active
and involved in issues, and are prepared to research them independently.

Dan McTeague, MP