About 30 area citizens gathered at Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod's 100 Mile House office to voice their concerns about the federal Budget Implementation Bill currently before Parliament.
Bill C-38 amends more than 70 laws, including several key environmental protection acts, provoking similar protests at 54 confirmed Conservative MP offices countrywide.
South Cariboo resident Christine Jordaan joined the protest, and says some elements of Bill C-38 are "deeply disturbing."
"I find it shocking that legislation can be amended so profoundly in a bill that is termed a 'budget bill'. C-38 is a large, complex piece of legislation."
Combining all these changes into one piece of legislation does not allow for transparency and debate, she explains.
"I believe that Bill C-38 is undermining the protections that are currently in place, which help to ensure environmental responsibility."
However, McLeod says it's not uncommon to combine so many acts under one bill.
The last three budget bills were significantly longer and dealt with "many, many different pieces of government," she adds.
"We have put together a whole government approach that we believe is going to secure our future, while also maintaining that important environment protection and habitat protection."
The Conservative MP says even the Opposition has indicated in the hearings that "serious changes" need to be made to both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act.
"Our provincial governments have been asking for these changes. We are getting rid of duplication, but we are not in any way eroding environmental protection."
It was "unfortunate" that she was needed in Ottawa when the protest took place, she adds.
"I always like to hear other points of view."
McLeod recommends concerned constituents read the first nine pages of Bill C-38, which she says is a "great summary of what we're doing and where we're going."
However, federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May recently released what she called "dangerous and damaging impacts" that Bill C-38 will have on Canadians’ environment, health and jobs.
According to May, fundamental changes will be made to legislation ranging from environmental acts and the Kyoto Protocol to fisheries and nuclear safety acts.
"In spite of the fact that most Canadians have no idea how seriously Bill C-38 will affect their lives, the Senate is about to begin hearings so Conservative senators can vote on it as soon as possible. This railroading version of democracy is tragic for Canada."
Patricia Spencer also joined the local protest, and says the bill is an "incredible assault" on both democracy and the environment.
"I think every Canadian should be concerned. The intention of this bill is to centralize power in Ottawa and bypass a lot of our democratic processes, such as parliamentary processes."
Jordaan adds the bill also "seriously threatens" future generations.
"I am asking our MP Cathy McLeod to vote against Bill C-38 in the interests of breaking it up, and providing a fair review of all the changes proposed by parliamentary committee."
The budget bill is available online at www.parl.gc.ca under LEGISinfo links.