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The Urbanite – Jon Liedtke – Dec. 18, 2013

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The end of the year has arrived and with it comes a fresh opportunity to put our collective houses in order. 

And make no mistake, our houses are quite messy and in dire need of being put in order. 

In Ontario, both London and Toronto have mayors embroiled in serious political scandals. Rob Ford admitted to smoking crack and has been stumbling through a seemingly endless series of follies and gaffes, while London’s Joe Fontana has been charged with fraud for using taxpayer money to pay for his son’s wedding. 

The Ontario Liberals spent roughly $1 billion to save two seats by cancelling two gas plants, in what was arguably a politically motivated decision. 

Federally, the government lost and subsequently found $3 billion in anti-terror funding. The Canadian Federal Court confirmed that the 2011 federal election was rife with fraud. Documents released by Edward Snowden from the National Security Agency document widespread spying by Canada on Canadians and for the NSA. 

Following massive opposition, online surveillance bills were abandoned by the government, only to be reintroduced under different names recently. 

Increasingly, it seems as if governments at every level are doing either what can be considered the opposite of the will of the people. At the very least, government actions are running counter to what reasonable citizens would expect. 

It’s not enough to merely get upset at the actions of our governments. What we need is for Canadians to start making noise, and loudly. 

Take up a letter writing campaign, start a petition, organize community groups to delegate at city council… let people know that take the issues seriously. 

If Canadians want better governance, Canadians have to demand it. With the new year comes a fresh start, the ability to right the wrongs of the past, and the possibility to chart a new course. 

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Jonathon Liedtke is the managing editor of The Urbanite, Windsor’s alternative newspaper. He is also a member of Windsor’s “Punk with Horns” band The Nefidovs, and as such, is committed to enhancing and sustaining the arts community.

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