If i were you I would decline to write the letter. You can provide lots of reasons (who would know you in a Canadian program--other than one in composition). Actually, I have a policy--I won't write letters for people who I don't support. In fact, our Chair here has asked us follow this policy. I am not inclined to write negative recommendation letters for another reason as well--I have heard rumours of people who sued other people as a result of such letters. So silence is my policy. Cathy Schryer