UMQ pushes for an end to personal attacks on politicians

Noticing an increase in “personal attacks” on elected officials, Quebec's union of municipalities (UMQ) is launching an initiative to “bring respect back to democracy.”

The attacks — documented on social media as well as in other spheres — are cause for concern at any time, but especially during a municipal election year in the middle of a pandemic, said UMQ president and Ste-julie Mayor Suzanne Roy.

“Yes, let's debate, let's debate the files, the content, but without personal attacks and without intimidation,” she said.

The comments have resulted in the resignation of some municipal mayors, the need for police escorts for others and a fear among prospective candidates who aren't sure they want to step into such a toxic environment, Roy said.

“We see people who, today, when we are looking for candidates, tell us `Oof, with everything that has happened, with everything that is said, we do not want to live that,' ” she said. “And often, they're quality candidates who do not want to come to the public square when they could do a lot of good.”

Last November, Longueuil Mayor Sylvie Parent received death threats because of the city's plan to cull deer that overpopulated one of its parks. Roy's point is that it's OK for citizens to voice their discontent about government decisions — that's what democracy is all about — but it has to be done respectfully.

“In Quebec, we can have opposing opinions and we can discuss them without resorting to insults, without resorting to intimidation, without falling into personal attacks,” she said.

The UMQ'S initiative has an action plan that will ask all Quebec

We can have opposing opinions and we can discuss them without resorting to insults, without resorting to intimidation.

municipalities to adopt its declaration “Democracy with respect, out of respect for democracy,” and for their councils to commit themselves to promoting that respect.

“So we really wanted, especially, I would say, in this election year, to bring it back a little bit so that people realize this is a matter of protecting our democratic institutions,” Roy said.

It's especially important this year, Roy said, because the pandemic will probably force candidates to resort to social media to share their platforms ahead of elections in November given that in-person events may not be permitted.

Roy said some people seem to be under the impression that stepping into the public sphere equates to a person signing away their right not to be publicly insulted.

“That just shows the depth of the lack of respect of our democratic institutions,” she said.

The pandemic may also be playing a role in increased aggressive behaviour on social media, Roy said, given the heightened stress among Quebecers.

“Probably the vast majority wouldn't hold the same vocabulary in person,” she said. “But hiding behind the screen, they feel like they are protected and can use elected officials as a punching bag.”

In sounding the alarm on a problem that appears to be getting worse, the UMQ hopes to turn it on its head by encouraging those who are already making their voices heard to do so in a way that is constructive and fair.

“Democracy comes to life in debate and in the clash of ideas,” their declaration reads. “It is possible as long as people respect each other.”