Why, when, and how, did we become afraid to speak our minds?

You have undoubtedly heard by now about the federal government’s plan to construct a $2-million “fake Muskoka lake” for visiting journalists at the upcoming G20 summit in downtown Toronto and the simultaneous G8 summit in Huntsville.
Critics of the government’s total summit expenses – now pegged at $1.1 billion but forecasted to increase to up to $2 billion – have ranged from Liberal MPs to ordinary Canadians who are either vociferously upset or simply bemused at the need for such costs. The Globe and Mail, in an article published Monday, June 7, referred to the spending as ironic, as the summits are “devoted to coming to grips with huge government debt.”
Critics also emerged at last week’s United Counties of Prescott-Russell committee meeting where, as you can read this week on page 5, The Nation Mayor Denis Pommainville decried the “irresponsible government spending.”
He proposed sending a letter to the region’s MP and MPP, asking for greater spending discipline on the part of both governments. The motion to draft a letter and present it at the next meeting was approved by a 5-3 vote.
The dissenting mayors raised a couple of interesting points, however, when considered in a greater context of our society’s own political involvement. For, from local mayors to individual citizens, we can all share the blame for our lack of civic action, our unwillingness to speak out, or our simple complacency.
Champlain Township Mayor Gary Barton argued the council was treading on “dangerous territory,” as the federal and provincial governments have been generous to Prescott-Russell. Should government spending in our municipalities depend on our willingness to remain silent – especially when we believe an error or an excess has occurred?
In the true sense of a democracy, a good government – as elected representatives of Canadian citizens and the taxpayers footing the bill – should respect the criticism it receives. Neither the partisan nature of politics nor the discontent of the electorate should factor into spending decisions; certainly, the public was not consulted when the government decided to build a $2-million lake with tax dollars and keep it closed to the very citizens who paid for it.
Hawkesbury Mayor Jeanne Charlebois criticized the counties’ lack of responsibility, at one time or another, in its own spending decisions. This should not be reason to refrain from additional criticism, but instead serve as an indication and a reminder of why we – as members of the public, mayors and residents alike – must not be afraid to contest a decision we feel is inappropriate or misdirected. Because if we don’t, who will?
Charlebois’ point raises the issue of the need for more residents to become involved in the public process. Her vote, like each one of the eight mayors representing counties’ council, can easily be overruled if it falls into the minority. On the other hand, when 250 residents suddenly take over the council chambers to voice their concern and dissatisfaction with a matter being considered for their township – as evidenced last Wednesday evening in Champlain, in a particularly rare showing – suddenly, the council vote is less of the influential decision-making factor.
The issues discussed at any council meeting are considered on behalf on the public and, for that reason alone, it is worth keeping abreast of the discussion at hand. More important, though, is to remain confident enough to speak out when something strikes a chord, either on behalf of yourself, your family, or the community as a whole.
Journalists have to report and deal with sensitive issues on a regular basis and, more often than not, they welcome their critics as an indication that the issue has helped inspire a healthy debate.
Indeed, the work of a journalist at this newspaper was recently criticized for an article about speeding in Champlain Township because, following publication, it attracted a letter to the editor that questioned the concerns expressed by the original interviewee. Yet only another week had passed and the editorial desk received two more letters on the subject; this time, both confidently defended the position of the interviewee.
Only several days later, a group of ten residents brought forward a petition to Champlain Township council, requesting its support in reducing the speed of traffic on Aberdeen and Duval Roads. Those residents submitted a petition, signed by 50 people, each one having voiced their concerns for the safety of themselves – as drivers and as pedestrians – as well as their children.
In addressing council, one man held up the aforementioned article in question as proof that other residents of Champlain, too, were equally concerned with speeding.
It always takes one person to speak out first, and that individual will undoubtedly end up in the spotlight; it is the change that takes place afterward, however, that makes the deed so worthwhile.                                                 - J.B.