Dear Editor,
I write today, Feb. 18, 2022, in response to the editorial titled ‘The Big Fat Lie’, pg. 4, Feb. 10, 2022, that I do not agree with.
Residents of both communities of Coutts and Milk River, Alta. came and went as they pleased without any interference from the truckers and a bare minimum, if any, at the police roadblocks
I know this because I was there and saw it for myself. I saw a truly heartwarming display of genuine kindness, compassion and unity, along with a feeling of quiet resolve to see this through no matter what. But no one, and I mean no one, has any desire to cause any trouble for anyone else, much less the locals who have been so helpful to everyone so many ways.
Suggesting that the RCMP members serving in Alberta are completely under the control of Alberta officials is just wrong, in my opinion. They are a federal force that we have contracted to do our policing for a price and that’s all they are.
Every officer here is still paid by Ottawa at a rate set by Ottawa, sent here by Ottawa, answers to superiors in Ottawa and is dependent on those same superiors for all career decisions, in my opinion, including promotions, postings, training, et cetera.
Just because some Alberta official can call RCMP headquarters and get the promise of more police at some future date doesn’t mean Alberta is in charge of anything.
In closing, let me say that I’m not a fan of Jason Kenny, his Party, or his government.
Ray Cerniuk
Stettler, Alta.
