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Pa ge 6 T hu rs da y, M ay 2 8, 2 01 5 - T he IF P - H al to n H ill s - w w w .th ei fp .c a The Independent & Free Press is published Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the Ontario Press Coun- cil, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. For additional information or to file a complaint, contact info@ ontpress.com or call 416-340-1981. The Independent & Free Press Abuse of power in Ottawa Letters to the editor 905-873-0301 Publisher: Dana Robbins General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: Chris Vernon (cvernon@metroland.com) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds/Real Estate Kristie Pells (realestate@theifp.ca) Classified Call Centre 1-855-415-8237 classified@theifp.ca Accounting 1-866-773-6575 Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up for our twice weekly electronic newsletter. Go to www.theifp.ca and click on 'Newsletter sign-up' at the bottom of the homepage. Keep ATVs off the trails For the Stephen Harper Conservatives, nothing is quite as entrenched as their fundamental con- tempt for the traditions of governing in this coun- try. A blatant example occurred recently. Nearly two months ago, Canada's information commissioner, Suzanne Legault, recommended charges be filed against the RCMP for allegedly withholding and destroying gun registry data. Despite a government promise that data would not be destroyed pending an active investigation, the RCMP erased the records in October 2012. Instead of following up on Legault's recom- mendation, the Harper Tories opted to instead rewrite the law so the Access to Information or Privacy acts would not apply with regard to the gun-registry data. The change was backdated to retroactively erase any notion the RCMP could be held account- able for its actions. The amendment was then buried in an omni- bus budget bill. Talk about opening a door. Harper has essentially set the precedent that any indiscretion involving the government and police can simply disappear with the wave of a legislative wand. It is beyond disturbing. MPs should "look themselves in the mirror and decide whether they can, in their own integrity, actually vote in favour of those proposed amend- ments," Legault told the Canadian Press, calling it a "perilous precedent." "We could do the same thing after investigating potential electoral fraud. We could erase these things retroactively," she warned. Liberal MP Wayne Easter, a former solicitor general, told CP that the RCMP would not have withheld the requested records without political support. "If they're complicit with the government in terms of destroying information against the law, what next will they be complicit with their politi- cal masters in? That's a huge, huge question." This dispute is not about the gun registry, a hugely divisive Liberal government program. It's about the notion that our government can retroactively change the law to suit its agenda. Even Conservative supporters should be con- cerned by this abuse of power. My partner and I frequent the Hungry Hollow trail systems and appreciate the city workers who developed boardwalks and bridges and who perform monthly maintenance to keep the area clean and safe. Recently we have noticed numerous motorized bikes and ATV vehicles on the paths. One ATV vehicle in particular has become a frequent and unsafe nuisance. The ATV enters off the Regan Crescent access and is driven by a 10 to 12 year old young man with blonde hair. The ATV does not have plates. It is blue/purple in colour. Parents, if this is your son, or if your child has a motorized vehicle, please en- sure they keep their machines out of the ravine and its paths. There are posted signs at each en- trance that it is illegal for these types of vehicles to be on the ravine trails and it is unsafe for the numerous walkers, bikers and animals who frequent these trails. I don't want my tax dollars going to- OPINION Roofers should think about kids Letters must include the author's name, ad- dress and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/ or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: cvernon@ metroland.com Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 77, George- town, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters policy wards putting in gates on ravine access points because of a few irresponsible community members. Keep your motorized vehicles out of the ravine for the safety and enjoyment of all who use it. L. McKenna, Georgetown As a resident of south Georgetown it is becoming commonplace to see roofs being re-shingled due to the age of our neighbourhood. Several times last year I found myself infuriated and speaking to the workers about the timing of their work and the full blocking of sidewalks with their vehi- cles between 8 and 9 a.m. when children are walking to school. This morning yet another company proceeded to do this at 8: 25 a.m. at Eaton Street and Huffman. A child was struck here not long ago-- yet the workers are oblivious to the fact children are sent out onto the road at a busy time to get past their vehicle. Nobody is supervising the kids or con- cerned for their safety. Numerous complaints to one com- pany directly seem to have helped, but today it was another and their vehicle put kids out into the centre of the road. Assinine and only a matter of time be- fore a child is hurt, or worse. Leanne Adam, Georgetown