Ajax MPP failed constituents on tropical getaway
Re: An open letter to former finance minister
Rod Phillips
Though not a member of your Ajax riding, as an Ontario citizen affected by your ministerial role, I feel the need to address your ill-advised tropical travel over this holiday season.
We as communities, a province and a nation are facing the fallout of the worldwide pandemic known as COVID-19. In fact we have been dealing with restrictions officially since March 13. That’s 9 1/2 months during which unnecessary travel has been repeatedly and consistently discouraged by political officials and more importantly by public health officials who understand the grave consequences of not staying put.
You claim that had you known that we would be in lockdown immediately after Christmas, you would have cancelled your plans. Regardless of lockdown, we Ontarians were still being asked not to gather together, not to make unnecessary trips out of our homes and certainly not to travel to more tropical climes for vacations. How completely hypocritical and irresponsible of you. Not to mention the apparent attempts to disguise where you were by posting an old photo with your announcement in regards to mental health and addiction funding and the photo with your Christmas message (turtleneck sweater by a fire in the Caribbean?).
All too frequently it is made blatantly clear that many people in positions of power believe they are above such menial things as following protocols and guidelines.
It’s “do as I say and not as I do,” with no repercussions aside from having to issue an apology and a little roasting in the media. Premier Doug Ford has said “I have let the minister know that his decision to travel is completely unacceptable and that it will not be tolerated again — by him or any member of our cabinet and caucus.” Only time will tell if those words are enough of a deterrent. Somehow I doubt it. After all, Premier Ford gave himself and Niagara MPP Sam Oosterhoff free passes for their earlier behaviours which were in direct contravention of public health guidelines.
If we are truly in this together and the only way we can beat COVID-19 is by acting responsibly and as a united front, our elected officials need to start leading by example. No more apologizing after the fact. Please recognize that it is a privilege to serve your constituents and this province and act responsibly and accordingly.
Nancy Northrop, Otonabee