Now is not the time to be crossing provincial borders
Coun. Stephen Wright’s trip to
New Brunswick
Daily our prime minister and premier are urging Canadians to stay home, wash our hands, social distance — and our mayor echoes the same sentiments.
For this reason, and as I am a resident of Northcrest Ward, I feel compelled to express my disappointment to Coun. Stephen Wright concerning his trip to New Brunswick via Quebec.
I would like to ask you:
1. Did you self-isolate upon return?
2. Did you seek advice from the health unit for this trip?
3. Were the mayor/councillors and the economic recovery task force aware of this trip?
4. Did you have sanitizer with you for use after “eating takeout”? Or to wipe your credit card after usage? Or for frequently handled gas pump nozzles?
5. Did having to sway an RCMP officer at a border checkpoint to enter New Brunswick not speak to you regarding the ethics of this situation?
6. Did you speak with anyone about your research?
Many other questions came to mind while reading The Examiner article published on May 30. Coun. Wright I am not afraid to go out. What has changed is my awareness to what is going on around me. I practice social distancing, wear a mask and carry sanitizer. A delicate balance exists between individual rights. My right to be healthy could be compromised by your pressing right to travel. Consider the current situation in New Brunswick due to an individual travelling out of province.
I understand your reasoning. I agree that sometimes it is worthwhile to “see for yourself.” However in this “new normal” a phone call to a New Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, mayor, business owner in any community or a virtual meeting could have been considered.
I applaud Peterborough’s leaders for their dedication to this city and encourage them to stay the course.
Yes Coun. Wright, “Canadians have the right to travel freely across provincial borders” but ... right now ... should they? Betty Hubbeard Hetherington Drive Peterborough