Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
There is a lot to be said about being respectful, encouraging, co-operative and positive these days. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in its early stages here, there has never been, at least in my lifetime, a period where the now well-used phrase “We are all in this together” has been more appropriate.
However, that does not mean we have to be “yes” people when events occur with which we disagree, although it does mean we should control the nastiness. Just as it is important to encourage and support those who are on the frontlines and to get them the resources they need, it is also important to remain vigilant and call out those who take advantage of a difficult situation. To that end, a few matters have come to my attention this week.
Starting at the federal level, I have been impressed with the manner in which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stepped up to the plate, showing real leadership in relation to the COVID-19 crisis in Canada. He was building trust with Canadians, even Canadians like me, who are not known for supporting him. Trust in our leaders right now is tremendously important.
But then his Government blew that trust in a clumsy attempt to sneak extraordinary powers for themselves into emergency legislation that was intended to get aid out quickly to people who badly need it as a result of the pandemic. I was surprised and saddened to see this.
The Trudeau Government was seeking the right to tax and spend without parliamentary approval for more than a year and a half, effectively muting Parliament for that period of time. As stated in a recent editorial in the Toronto Star, this was an “enormous and unjustified overreach”. It will also, sadly, cause Canadians to look twice at everything the Trudeau Government proposes during this time.
The good news is that we have an effective opposition in Ottawa. Parliament has an important role of oversight, one that is vital in a democracy, and they effectively stopped the Government from eroding that, while still co-operating to get badly needed aid to Canadians through the legislative process.
There are some federal Conservatives who need a gentle rap on the knuckles as well. This applies especially to leadership wannabe, Peter MacKay. He is the only person I know who thinks becoming the next leader of the Conservative Party of Canada is more important than the pandemic we are currently experiencing. His media antics in opposing the decision to postpone the Tory leadership race are clearly self-serving, embarrassing and, to an extent, harmful. There really are more important things going on right now.
Peter MacKay’s recent tweets and interviews also have had the effect of undermining the current leader of the opposition by insinuating that that he cannot do an effective job because he will be stepping down in due course. I disagree. Andrew Scheer has an important role to play for Canadians and, in my view, he is playing it with skill and real effectiveness. He is holding the Government to account when it needs to be, and at the same time he is proposing measures to make government legislation more responsive to the needs of individuals during this pandemic. For example, it was Scheer who said that the Government’s original proposal for a 10 per cent payroll subsidy to small- and medium-sized businesses needed to be substantially increased. To its credit, the Government listened. Canadians are better off for that.
Lisa Raitt, and her committee running the Conservative leadership race, were right to postpone it. Andrew Scheer should stay where he is, and current leadership candidates should let him do his job and stop the infighting and the negative campaigning. Hopefully, Tory officials will have the courage to not back down under pressure from the folks in the back rooms of some leadership candidates.
I also believe that Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Government have played a very effective leadership role in managing the COVID-19 crisis. Ford has shown compassion and co-operation I have not previously seen and firmness on issues such as gouging and social distancing which is badly needed. However, I think it was a mistake for him to get into the discussion of whether seasonal residents should go to their cottages or summer homes. In my view this should be strictly a municipal matter.
Municipalities such as Huntsville, and others like it in Muskoka and Parry Sound, depend heavily on seasonal residents. They pay property taxes year-round and contribute substantively to our local economy. Not only would our lifestyle be much different without the contribution of seasonal residents, but we would most likely not even have the hospital facilities to the extent that we do have in Muskoka without them.
If I were a seasonal resident, especially if my primary home was in an urban area, I think I would want to stay in my primary home during this pandemic to be closer to more extensive healthcare facilities. But I think I would be unhappy to hear that I am not welcome at my cottage, where I contribute fully to the community, just because I am not there all the time.
Of course, resources, especially ‘off season’, are limited in cottage country, so there are two sides to this story. But I think I am most closely aligned to the position of Muskoka Lakes Mayor Phil Harding who says that if seasonal residents believe this is the best place for them to be during this time, they have a right to be here and they are welcome. But please do not come here if you are unwell and also recognize that our healthcare facilities and food supplies are limited. So, please bring food to the extent that you can, and be prepared to self-isolate for a period of time when you come here from larger urban settings. That is all we should ask.
After all, we really are all in this together.
Hugh Mackenzie
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So chartered Banks in Canada have no control over credit card rates, Right.
Today CIBC and RBC cut credit card rates to give relief to customers amid COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously the banks do have the means to lower interest rates on credit cards. 10 % is a good start but it won’t be enough I’m afraid.
The harm is that Muskoka District area has 9 ICU beds for 60,000 people. If we allow/encourage all the seasonal residents to self isolate here, Muskoka District area has 9 ICU beds for 78,000 people.
Keep in mind that the seasonal residents are most often coming from the GTA which has the vast majority of Ontario’s 1700 ICU beds
The Feds regulate everything in this country. They have the means to force these companies to lower there
fees regardless of ownership. A lot of people are going to be struggling for money. I am speaking for the silent majority. They are going to need all the help they can get, just to survive.
The economic consequences of this Pandemic are unknown but they will be devastating as we have already seen with the stock market. Drastic times call for drastic measures.
Keeping people alive is the right priority at this time, in my opinion X 2.
Jim; the big 6 banks in Canada sold off the credit card portfolio years ago. Those companies are privately held by billionaires like Warren Buffet, not by the banks. Saying that the banks would take a hit but not in the way you are thinking.
They took billions off the banks books to keep them afloat recently with your tax dollars. Charging excessive finance rates during times like this will have a detrimental effect on everybody carrying outstanding credit. That’s half the population of Canada currently according to statistics. There’s lots of ways of offering economic relief. I think that all options should be on the table. Is this not considered price gouging when the bank rate is at its lowest in history?
AMEN! Well said.
Keeping people alive seems to be the priority.
It sad that all three parties are not concerned with excessive interest rates on credit card debt.
There have been missteps from both Trudeau and Ford. I suggest that the time to examine any/all missteps is after this crisis is well behind us.
Hugh, I too found your article well-balanced. Because leaders are not screaming at each other/finger pointing does not mean that serious pro and opposition positions are not fully considered and debated. We need all sides for all levels of our parliamentary governments to work for the people they serve.
Peace, order, and good government can occur without “populism”. Imagine.
Thank you for listening.
Opposition parties have a difficult role in the middle of a crisis. It is difficult for them to ask questions without appearing to be obstructionist. I suspect that when the Liberals asked for emergency measures to apply for a longer period, it was not a “power grab”. They knew full well they would have to give the Conservatives some way to save face. That is quite normal in any negotiating situation. I suspect that if their roles were reversed, the Conservatives would have done the same thing. Time will tell if the emergency measures will need to be extended over a longer period. Let’s hope not. But that depends on all of us following the advice of our public health experts.
Very well said, Hugh. I, too was very disappointed by our Prime Minister’s follow up actions, but when giving it some later thought, I guess I should have expected it. Late to the start, but gaining speed nicely, following the isolation rules himself and leading by example, communicating often, FINALLY! ….OK…. but then, the old personality emerges and wipes his “new” leadership out. He is, and pretty much always has been, marching to the tune of his own drummer with very little regard, or ability to relate, to the Canadian people. Amazing to see the talent from his former drama teacher career emerge and be put to work so effectively – I almost believed him and applauded his “about face’. Now I am back to my original feeling that he is “two faced” and it is sad that his phony concern for people can be overridden by greed. That leopard just cannot change his spots.
Very impressed with Ford and his instant actions, so positive this time instead of the negative, but necessary ones he warned us about that he had to make happen. His genuine caring for all people shows and his understanding of all levels of hardship being felt are wonderful. Addressing new difficulties almost daily is a big task, and he faces it well. Kudos to you, Sir!
Hugh, it’s no secret that you and I do not agree often; but I hope that I’ve been respectful, and certainly you’re a gentleman. That said, I must praise you for the most even-handed, excellent piece of journalism in a long time.
I salute both Mr. Scheer and Mr. Ford for the masterful way that they have conducted themselves during this pandemic. And I agree that I was justifiably proud of the Prime Minister until he shot himself in the foot. But I honestly thought that he was going to use the War Measures Act to declare martial law. Moral suasion works for reasonable people: Martial law works for unreasonable people. Combined with a pandemic, it would have been an unmitigated disaster.
Aligning yourself with Mayor Harding also struck the right chord. As permanent residents, we are self-isolating: As seasonal residents, they should expect no less. But by no means, should seasonal residents be prevented from inhabiting an alternative residence on which they pay taxes.
I pay $10,000.00 a year for my taxes in huntsville I have my choice where I want to self isolate weather at the cottage or in the city if I’m sick I defenatly would not go to the hospital in cottage country the hospital is not equipped with enough qualified staff. If this is the case seasonal cottagers should only pay a percentage of the taxes if they are only there seasonal.
It’s not about locals vs cottagers, or how much tax someone pays or the right to use their cottage. It’s about stopping the spread and flattening the curve. All levels of government have said to reduce non-essential travel and a trip to the cottage is non-essential travel. It’s not that they are not welcome or don’t have rights it’s about trying to fight this virus. If people don’t stop bickering and just follow the rules we could have social distancing run into summer and that would be truly catastrophic for our economy. To steal a catch line from a commercial, local or not COVID doesn’t care.
Yes, but ONLY of they self isolate for two weeks.
And we are all under orders to stay home. In their case home is not Muskoka. Or the ski chalet at Osler. Or the house in Florida. We understand the urge to escape the confines of a condo in Toronto but none of us are supposed to be traveling around just now.
Self isolating is not bringing a family of 5 into a large, non food retailer to simply browse around. One person comes in for a necessary targeted purchase and promptly leaves, yes.
Browsing and putting in time, no. The same discipline applies to “locals”.
Tough times ( and going to get tougher).
What’s the harm if a seasonal resident comes and self isolates for 2 weeks ?
My bet is if anyone of us lived in Toronto and had a million dollar home in the north on a lake and were able to work from home no matter where most of us would be up north I know I would.
I just hope if they want to live up here they practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible.
Just like we locals are supposed to be doing.
Yes I agree it’s the seasonal cottagers building cottage country if all seasonal cottagers were to purchase things outside of cottage country the town’s would not be the way they are today things would be diffrent we continue to support the local business what they need to survive through a pandemic. we need to keep our self safe I agree if you’re feeling symptoms or your sick you should stay at home you don’t need to infect others and others to unknowingly injecting other people. For the mayor in the spring summer and fall the store are stock to because of the influx of people weather it spring cleaning summer fun or fall preperation for winter last I checked its spring that time of the year spring cleaning why would I want to self isolate and do nothing around the house instead of self isolate at the cottage where I could get things done weather its inside or out as far as I can remember the cottage are more than 6 meters away from each other. If seasonal cottage owners are being restricted from going to their cottage then they should pay seasonal taxes. We all have to agree that this is a time of crisis and were supposed to be in this all together people are scared and uncertain what tomorrow says suppose we wake up tomorrow and were not to leave the house because everyone who is out side will get sick and we are to ride this out we would be screwd stock piling on non perishable food is ok not toilet paper stupid it’s not a diarea pandemic see how much toilet paper you will be able to eat when food is finished on your shelf of your not able to leave your house for a months stock pile on seeds just incase you have to grow your own vegetable.
My understanding is that worried Muncipal Officials were concerned about a significant amount of Summer Folk would put a strain on resources here…Absolutely a valid concern and when the Premier speaks out for Us on a different stage , I am happy . He as a Cottager , is well qualified to speak on Our situation here and is qualified . A few hurt feelings is of little consequence in the big picture ! Stay Safe .Stay at Home .
Everyone is welcome. Not just right now.
Anyone with any intelligence will stay at home and not
travel to cottage country.
Bring the virus with you and spread the joy. Sure!
See you in the summer, but please not now.
Hugh thank you for this article, I agree full heartedly with each and every point you made.