The following email has been sent to Cape Breton’s 2 MPs. We have posted the video format as well to reach more people.

Father Maroun has asked numerous times for help from our 2 MPs and there is nothing but silence.

Here is the letter:

Dear MPs Kelloway and Battiste.

It has been some time since I have requested that you both secure a meeting with Minister Sean Fraser while he is in his riding office in New Glasgow over the summer.

Gentlemen, what is the issue? I have been fighting the equalization unfairness issue for my community for over 35 years, and it is not like I am asking you to attend, contribute or even participate in this meeting. All I am asking is to arrange the meeting, and a few of our members and I will attend and ask the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada some important questions about our rights under the Canadian Constitution.

I have sent several emails to Minister Fraser as well as phoned his office on numerous occasions and left messages for the Minister to phone me back. I have even made video requests to Minister Fraser to meet but all have been ignored gentlemen.

Is this what we can expect from our MPs in Cape Breton, complete ignorance of a senior citizen who has devoted a third of his life as well as a sizable fortune trying to have politicians answer some simple questions? Questions about our right to equal and fair taxation. Questions about a federal program using federal taxpayer’s funds. Questions about our given rights under the Constitution of Canada to live equally within this country.

Please excuse my sharp tone in this email gentlemen, but what good are you to the people of Cape Breton if you are unable to secure a simple meeting with a fellow colleague and MP? An MP who is also from rural Nova Scotia and most likely represents an area of the province that also suffers from equalization unfairness.

I have been told over the years that the federal government does not like to interfere with the powers of a provincial government, however the Liberal Government, under Justin Trudeau, has extended the current equalization program, without review or changes.

Don’t you both think it is time to properly represent your constituents and have a discussion with Prime Minister Mark Carney about this grave injustice to the people of rural Nova Scotia. Don’t you both think it is time for a complete review of this flawed federal transfer to ensure that the Canadian taxpayers are receiving value for their hard-earned taxation? Don’t you think it is time that you stop ignoring the people of your community who have repeatedly asked for your help?

I am willing to work with you both, but you need to show the people that you care. That your hands are not tied and you are not muzzled on this issue.

Gentlemen, people are losing faith in the elected representation in this country. Your inactions and attitude towards concerned members of the public and a 100% federal program, is precisely why. There is always going to be a bigger issue that needs addressing over this concern, as I have witnessed for many decades now. You both have personally watched as the NSEF and I, tried desperately to contact and meet with Canada’s last 5 Ministers of Justice and Attorney General’s without one shred of help from you both.

Will you please do the right thing and secure a meeting with Minister Fraser before Parliament sits again in the fall. That is not much to ask, and it is a shame that I must do it this way, in the full view of the public.

If you ignore this request, then the people of Cape Breton can assume that you both have been ordered to ignore and walk away from this topic and issue. Don’t you both believe that it is time that the federal government address these important concerns of your constituents?

As usual, I will wait to hear back from you, and I hope this time is different and you respond with a date and time when Minister Sean Fraser can give me a few minutes of his time.

Enjoy the rest of your summer gentlemen.

Rev. Dr. Albert Maroun