Is there hope for democracy?
With the rise of so many despots around the world, will democracy survive?
The angst about overseas wars is mounting worldwide. Canada and the U.S. are trying to help affected Ukrainians, Israelis and Palestinians while angry mobs demonstrate, causing chaos. And China’s interfering with our elections!
I understand now why my parents and grandparents clustered around a huge floor-model radio with a little green tuning-eye light, listening to news from the war fronts. Updates in the ’40s were not the instant breaking drama of today. And now there’s the added threat of an egomaniac setting off a nuclear Armageddon.
In this age of entitlement, university groups — some being rallied by professional protesters, we’re told — are disrupting scholars, camping on-site and making demands, unaware of possible unintended consequences.
Locally, we have the caring Pam Damoff, Liberal MP for Oakville North—Burlington, saying she won’t seek re-election because of misogyny and the “hyperpartisan nature of politics today.” And she now feels unsafe venturing out. Is that what our democracy has become?
The House of Commons is a zoo today. And “wacko” is Pierre Poilievre’s favourite new term for his opponent!
Provincially, it’s no better. Our premier lurches from issue to issue making announcements, only to reverse course because they prove undoable or impractical. Voters must like what he’s selling, because recent byelections in Milton and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex rewarded him.
Milton locals claim he had an army of MPPs campaigning. He took the former riding with about a 28.93 per cent of the voter turnout, the latter with about 30 per cent.
In recent years, provincial turnout has plummeted to new lows. In 2018, it was 57 per cent; in 2022, 43.53. Byelections traditionally attract fewer voters, but this few? After the emphasis on them? Watching what goes on today likely disenchants voters, who then won’t bother unless they see hope of a major change at top levels. Then apathy wins!
Simultaneously, Doug Ford’s government is being investigated by the RCMP for possible wrongdoing, benefiting donors and cronies. These things turn voters off. The old folksong, “Where have all the flowers gone,” should be retitled “Where have all good leaders gone?”
Another Ford is also in the news. Ford’s Oakville plant is now on a three-year shutdown as it purportedly retools to produce electric vehicles, but many workers doubt Ford will reopen in Oakville — or Canada — at all.
I’m among doubters that EVs will be the balm politicians claim. For starters, where can they be kept, given that around 90 per cent of new housing in most urban areas will be in highrises? Lithium-ion batteries are susceptible to spontaneous combustion, so will landlords or condo boards even allow them inside?
Clearly, they’re less polluting (ignoring the mining essential for the lithium and other minerals for batteries). But there’s the draw on our power grid. Then figure out which type of hydro plan you need — after the initial installation of a charger, said to cost between $4,000 and $5,000. Do you opt for a timeof-use hydro plan, or a tiered plan, which costs more once you reach certain usage plateaus? That depends on your driving habits. Definitely buyers need to do a lot of research before signing anything.
Locally, the Ontario Land Tribunal is hearing an appeal that can have a huge effect on Spencer Smith park. The Waterfront Hotel apparently still wants two huge towers at the foot of Brant Street, arguing they were once entitled to that kind of development (arguable). There have been many proposals floated. I recall one for a condo and a hotel building, but there were only a few floors of hotel — the rest was all condos in that building. We probably won’t know OLT’s decision for months.
On a happy note, Hamilton’s Sheraton Hotel on King Street is again the home of peregrine falcons — this time with three chicks! Follow them on the live webcast.