THE DECLINE OF DISCOURSE
The polarization of Alberta politics reached a new peak — or rather, a new low — last weekend. Four meetings scheduled this month in Edmonton, Red Deer, Drayton Valley and Sundre to gather public feedback on proposed new parks along Alberta’s eastern slopes were cancelled by Environment Minister Shannon Phillips for reasons of public safety.
It’s encouraging that Albertans are so passionate about this 4,000-square kilometre parcel of stunning terrain, whether they are conservationists seeking greater wilderness and watershed protection or local off-highway vehicle enthusiasts concerned about possible loss of access to riding trails. Others charge the government is sidestepping proper consultation.
These meetings were always bound to be hornets’ nests because of the strongly dissenting opinions, but it is disheartening that some people have taken things too far.
The meetings were cancelled on the advice of provincial security officials after consultation with RCMP and follow five separate instances of harassment. Phillips says her office received reports from business owners who allegedly experienced intimidation for supporting the plan, although she would not provide specifics.
Phillips blamed “inflamed rhetoric and inaccurate statements made by some organizations and individuals on social media, which has led to bullying, abuse and concerns over public safety on the part of the proposal’s proponents.
“I have heard stories of Albertans afraid to attend community events, Albertans berated in public, Albertans followed home, and Albertans feeling intimidated to not speak their mind or participate in this important discussion,” Phillips said.
The minister, who has previously been targeted herself by vitriol about the carbon tax and whose premier has been subject to a shocking number of threats, also said it wouldn’t be prudent for her to have attended the consultation sessions, given the heated rhetoric circulating.
UCP MLA Jason Nixon, who Phillips has accused of spreading misinformation about the parks plan, rightly condemned any intimidation from either side but second-guessed the decision to abandon in-person consultations.
Without knowing the exact details of the dangers to public safety, we’re left to defer to Phillips’s first-hand knowledge.
What’s more clear is that the two telephone town halls to be held instead of the in-person meetings are poor substitutes.
Ironically, the actions of some of those who went too far to protest a perceived lack of consultation achieved just the opposite.
Edmonton Journal