Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
It must have been a cold day in Hell yesterday. Because that is when I thought I would see a mainly positive article about Premier Doug Ford, written by the Toronto Star’s veteran columnist, Martin Regg Cohn. He has seldom been a fan of Conservatives or felt the need to defend them.
Of course, there is the obligatory paragraph in there about everything Ford has done wrong since he was elected, and he had to take a shot at another Conservative premier along the way, but nevertheless, Cohn spared no punches in defending Premier Ford’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, even though, as he acknowledged, it was less than perfect.
The bold headline said, “Ford isn’t the problem with the pandemic.”
Martin Regg Cohn wrote in part, “In a crisis, everyone likes to hate a villain. When a pandemic does not go according to plan, when the playoffs don’t follow the playbook, the critics pounce—most especially opposition politicians, pundits, and exasperated epidemiologists. The temptation is to personalize and politicize and fetishize the problem. Blame the coach.”
How true that is, at both the federal and provincial levels of government. And how sad it is that political leaders, such as Ontario opposition leader Andrea Horwath, feel it important to undermine the government’s efforts to manage the pandemic for their own political purposes. As history has shown, that is simply not appropriate during a time of national crisis.
Cohn goes on to say, “The counterfactual fantasy that Ontario could have magically averted the second wave with more second guessing—if only we had locked down tight many months ago and thrown away the key, doubled classroom space and tripled teacher hiring—is a sterile thought experiment. The wishful thinking that Horwath’s NDP (or a previous or future Liberal government) would save the day, if only Ford would get out of the way, doesn’t have much traction.”
Again, I agree. It is easy to point fingers. It is easy to blame political leaders, both in Ottawa and in Ontario, who are responsible for managing the pandemic, especially if you don’t like their politics in the first place. It is much harder to stand up and be counted and to recognize that there are times when it is necessary to stand together.
The burden of the pandemic on both the prime minister and the premier is obvious. It has aged Trudeau and it has changed Ford. As Martin Regg Cohn said in his column, Ford “has faced the yahoos head on and focused on the medical warnings.” In a different way, perhaps, I believe it is fair to say the same thing about Justin Trudeau.
It is my own view, unpopular as it may be, that when it comes to actually managing the pandemic, both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford have done a good job. Sure, they have made mistakes. They were in unchartered waters. But on balance they have done what needs to be done and continue to do so. There certainly are issues for which both the Ford and Trudeau governments deserve to be criticized, but their management of the COVID-19 pandemic is not one of them.
There is a place where I draw the line, however, and that is when the pandemic and the government subsidies that were provided to help those that really need it have been misused. To me, it is just a sophisticated form of looting. I have no problem with people, businesses, and organizations being kept whole during the pandemic. In fact, I believe it is important to do that as much as possible.
But with the exception of front-line workers, for whom no reward will ever be enough, no one should profit financially on the backs of Canadian taxpayers as a direct result of pandemic funding they were technically eligible to receive from government in order to survive. Break even and hold their own, yes. But profit from it? No.
This is especially so, when the Federal parliamentary budget officer has said that Canada’s current deficit level will be unsustainable “within one to two years”. Frightening to think about that.
I find it disturbing that some corporations are able to pay higher and special dividends to their shareholders as a direct result of government pandemic funding. Or that a golf course in Ottawa can pocket an extra million dollars because of pandemic funding they and their employees received. It just does not pass the smell test. And you can bet your mortgage that these two examples are just the very tip of the iceberg!
It is my view that any person or business that profited financially as a result of pandemic grants should have those profits fully taxed back. It was also not particularly helpful when Prime Minister Trudeau opined that people who obtained CERB grants fraudulently may not have to pay them back if they can’t afford to. Surely that sends the wrong message.
The good news however, is that there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines are on their way. There are still some serious challenges ahead of us, but we will get through this.
As we hunker down a little longer, let’s try to be gentle with our criticism and generous in our support and praise for those who are responsible for keeping us well, safe, and economically secure during the course of this pandemic.
After all, this is the season of good will. Let’s see how long we can extend that!
Happy Christmas to all!!
Hugh Mackenzie
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I see Andrea Horwath as the most negative party leader, she criticizes endlessly but doesn’t seem to have anything positive to offer. On another subject, a while ago on the internet an article appeared by the Globe and Mail I believe listing the businesses which have taken advantage of government assistance, I was shocked to see some of the businesses in our community that had grabbed this free money, the article disappeared from the web quickly..
Mr. Nevins; your post is full of rhetoric and slang expressions. I find your line of reasoning Very difficult to follow. You seem to have a concern with the “nanny state” (related to debt), and/or perhaps a concern about some better balanced reporting by the Toronto Star.
During these extraordinary circumstances of a worldwide pandemic (our “imploding”?), I recently read a reference to the “nanny state” from the movie, “Nanny McPhee” (identified as a government nanny). Her motto was, “when you need me, but do not want me, I will stay. When you want me but do not need me, I will go.”
Mr. FORD has done a good job on certain parts of the pandemic. This last close down should have been much sooner instead if watching everyday hitting new record high. Do not travel, I would think don’t travel means just that. Why are the resort hotels not being shut down . Short term rental are the same thing and they are not allowed. Mr. FORD says no curfew but telling people don’t have parties doesn’t seem to work. I know rules are hard to follow we can’t even see our only daughter . She is a front line worker and when the government doesn’t enforce and make real consequences for not obeying what has been laid out. I really don’t think as Mr. FORD has said don’t go to the cottage unless it is necessary is a crock. I sorry he should just say no travel and me an it and stand behind it.
The only reason ill hold Ford in account is because he’s too much of a chicken to put the shutdown on the 24th as it should be.
Normaly Hugh is spot on, but Regg Cohn, TorStar’s resident Left Wing Hatchetman (and ultrapartisan apologist/propagandist for the Liberal Party) coming out in support of Ford should serve as a perfect illustration of just how far off the rails Doug Ford has taken the Progressive Conservatives. From “Open For Business” to Breadlines and the Dole with a centrally planned economy.
Last week Muskoka’s own Norm Miller in a craven rear guard action, was selling false hope to the business community. Knowing full well Queen’s Park was planning to implode the economy, and that moves were being made to circumvent Muskoka’s calls to be separated from Simcoe.
Randall Delaney’s most recent (trending) piece from Nat Po should be read by anyone looking for an article containing substantive and calculated critical review of Ford’s policies. This article uses facts to demonstrate his complete abandonment of platform and his base, in favour of the hysterical, risk adverse, degenerate-debtors in the public sector.
If Regg Cohn is singing your praises you need to take a long hard look in the mirror. Ford and Miller are offside and the voters will hold them to account.
BJ Boltauzer; point taken.
Conveying a respect for our sciences (medical, research, statistical, biological, social , and psychological), setting an example, and developing a model of caring for the common good (caring about our neighbours as ourselves) is essential.
I think it is most unfortunate that during the summer, intensive government work on the second wave planning/action was replaced by other agenda legislation.
Anna – Lise Kear, as usual, I do like your observations.
However, on this occasion, I also agree with Mr. Cohn’s article and Mr. Mackenzie’s comments.
Ford is not the problem with the pandemic. It is the hordes of narrow-minded pandemic denial morons who believe that their so-called “civil liberties”, to go around partying without wearing face masks spreading the disease, trump the wellbeing of whole communities. They just don’t see the larger picture.
BJ Boltauzer
Mr. McKenzie; Andrea Horwath is doing her job as opposition leader. Does Erin O’Toole act as opposition leader for political gain? What fits one, fits the other from your comments. Is Erin O’Toole fulfilling his role as opposition leader in Parliament? So is Andrea Horwath.
DF’s calls have been 2-3 weeks behind the necessary action required (not merely epidemiology, Public Health, Hospital Associations, Medical and Nursing Associations); the metaphor applies – closing the barn door after the horse is out of the stable is not effective management.
DF could not stop the second wave, but there has been much planning and action he could have taken over the summer months to help mitigate the current effects, especially in LTC. For example, he could have been acting on recommendations already in place for improvements in LTC, including increased human resources, training, and staffing. Instead, Rev. Dr. McVety’s application for his family business-run college and environmental de-regulations -both included in his omnibus bill- held his attention.
I commend you for again opening discussion on this topic.
Well said, Hugh. I find most of your commentaries bang on, by the way! Poor Doug Ford can’t win as he shuts down the province… businesses on one side, the health experts on the other. As for Trudeau… he’s doing his best.. but giving out WAY too much money without a means test for many. (thanks for the $300 each that we seniors got, but didn’t need, this spring). Stay safe and have a Merry Christmas if possible.
Hugh … as is so often the case, you have the “temper” of the moment.
This is not a time for finger pointing or second guessing g, this IS a time for us ALL to redouble our commitment to do OUR part to beat this damn virus!
Merry Christmas to you … and to all who follow your weekly comments.