Dear Editor,
Re: “CAPP in hand”
September 21, 2023
David Shanihan’s opinion piece, “CAPP in hand” published on September 21, brought to mind the much-paraphrased quote, “You are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.” As a member of the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison (CAAP), I am very used to Mr. Shanahan’s hot and cold views on our efforts to stop the building of a prison in Kemptville. Usually, we don’t bother to challenge his rhetoric. However, his latest effort included such an egregiously false statement that a response is required.
His claim that we had made “loud and angry claims” from the time “the prison was announced that Council knew all about the plan and were parties to the project” is simply ludicrous; nothing could be further from the truth. We have consistently spoken of the government’s failure to consult both with the local government and the residents of North Grenville. Ironically, Victor Lachance and I took that position in a NG Times podcast hosted by none other than Mr. Shanahan in March 2021. Mr. Shanahan also sat in on a virtual press conference hosted by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association in October 2021, where both Victor and I spoke of the provincial government’s failure to consult. Add to that the numerous other public statements and press releases where our position on the matter has been crystal clear. Any criticisms of North Grenville Council have been focused only on its actions in the subsequent months and years following the announcement.
Mr. Shanahan, feel free to continue to run hot and cold, or even just frigid, but please deal in facts, not fiction.
Colleen Lynas,
North Grenville
