Simard made the democratic choice
Re Defectors damage democracy and their careers, Sears, Dec. 2 Robin Sears has it half right. Yes, to resign might be the most obvious option. But, in Premier Ford’s world, a by-election could be six months or more and that leaves the electors of Ms. Simard’s riding without a voice at Queen’s Park to challenge the government’s decision. Exactly what the premier would wish. Good for you Ms. Simard. Richard Donaldson, Mississauga I question Sears’ assumption that when people voted conservative they were voting for Ford when in fact many may have voted conservative because they liked the MPP or voted for anybody but Wynne. Then there are some people that voted conservative, but changed their mind after the elections — the current poll seems to back that up. The responsibility of the MPP is to represent their party and all other constituents, not just to toe the conservative party line. My responsibility as a citizen is to be informed, which includes listening to other people’s opinions and participating. Voting is only a small part of democracy. An MPP is the essential contact with constituents. The second assump- tion that leaving caucus will benefit the MPP is clearly wrong and an MPP must be allowed to abandon their party on a matter of principle and to best represent their constituents. As an independent she is free to vote for most of the conservative platform as her constituents expect her to do. I wish more MPPs would follow her example. Suzanne Wade, Toronto When defectors like MPP Amanda Simard leaves her party on principle rather than following party lines that is democracy in action. When a party led by Doug Ford states in preelection promises that Franco-Ontarions have nothing to fear from Conservatives only to go back on its words based on paltry economic savings to cater to its base. That is the antithesis of democracy. There are those who live out their principles and those who simply stay on to remain in power in the political spectrum. Having lived in Manitoba for over 60 years, I know from personal experience and historical knowledge as to what it is like to have fought for linguistics rights from the day Manitoba was created in 1870. Gilbert-L. Comeault, Niagara-on-the-Lake