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A Letter to Gary Lunn
In the spirit of Maps for Canadians’s letter-writing campaign to overturn the Canadian government’s decision to stop producing topo maps (see previous entry), I have written my own letter to Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn. (More effective to write your own than to use a campaign’s template, I think.) It’s available here (PDF). I’ve also sent copies to my own MP and the three opposition Natural Resources critics. I decided it was appropriate to mail a paper copy in this case (I suspect that letters are more effective than e-mail), so the letter won’t arrive before Tuesday at the earliest; you get to see it first.
I know a little bit about ministerial correspondence offices and have no illusions that this letter will actually be read by the minister, but it will be interesting to see what answers — if any — I get from his office or from the other members of parliament. I’d like something pinned down at the political level; so far in this debate, we’ve only heard from bureaucrats.
I’ll post any answers I receive.
Categories: Topo Maps & Trails
The Federal government is still providing the maps in a digital form - all they are changing is the paper. This service can still be provided by any company with a plotter. So, i dont really see a problem with this. As for cost, take the pdf to your municipal office, im sure it wont cost much more for them to make the print.
kj | 10/06/2006 at 1:39 PM | #
Didn’t read the letter, didja?
The whole point is that digital maps and maps on a plotter are less good.
I don’t know much about this, and it is a matter for Canadians, not an American, although when I visit Canada I’d like to know that I could readily obtain good quality topo maps. Here’s a couple of questions for you: Does the Canadian government charge for these paper maps? Does the charge cover the cost of printing and distribution (the “wharehouse”)? If the answers are yes, than what is the problem? If the answers are no, why doesn’t the government consider charging for the paper maps?
Jim Linnane | 10/07/2006 at 4:18 AM | #
Maps are sold through one of several distribution centres (i.e., map stores). The one nearest me charges $11.45 (Cdn) for a topo sheet. No idea whether this covers the government’s costs.