Hugh Mackenzie
Huntsville Doppler
Sometimes I disagree
One of the challenges in writing a weekly column is finding topics of interest for which there is enough material to bang out a thousand words or so. Often an issue comes to light that I would like to comment on but cannot fill a complete article in doing just that. So today, I have decided to deal with a few of these matters that are only somewhat related but still worth talking about.
I make no apologies for being a middle-of-the-road Conservative. That is who I am. But I am not blind, and I am not afraid to speak out when I believe that politicians whom I would generally support and will likely continue to vote for make serious mistakes or condone something I fundamentally disagree with. In fact, I believe it is important to do so. We should hold all elected people accountable and not just those we don’t like. Here are two recent examples that have bothered me.
There are many things, in my view, that Premier Doug Ford has done right, including his balanced management of the COVID-19 pandemic which in partnership with the Trudeau Government and the other provinces and territories in Canada has meant that this country, on a per capita basis, has been two-and-a-half times more effective in dealing with the virus and saving lives than our neighbours immediately to the south.
But why oh why, in the middle of all of this, did Premier Ford, apparently discounting concern expressed by his caucus, have to introduce legislation that would convey university status to Canada Christian College, whose President, Charles McVety, is described by the Toronto Star’s Martin Regg Cohn, as “notoriously homophobic and Islamophobic”? Why now and, for that matter, why at all?
Canada Christian College specifies that students must refrain from practises that are biblically condemned. In today’s double-speak we all know what that specifically refers to. We live in a multicultural country and, in my view, no matter what our personal views may be, no government should provide credibility in any fashion to institutions who discriminate against any part of our society acting within the law. To that end, I believe that Premier Ford’s proposed legislation to grant university status to Canada Christian College is wrong, ill-considered, and a politically unwise strategy.
My second issue, somewhat connected to the first, is a small bone I have to pick with federal Conservative leader Erin O’Toole.
Last week, the Trudeau Government introduced legislation to effectively ban and criminalize conversion therapy which is primarily a process intended to change homosexual behaviour to heterosexual behaviour. It received approval in principal by a vote of 308 to 7.
To Mr. O’Toole’s credit, he voted in favour of the government’s motion, but because he allowed a free vote, seven members of his caucus voted against it, two abstained, and some others, including former leader Andrew Scheer, just stayed away.
Conservative Member of Parliament Eric Duncan, who has acknowledged that he is gay, has said conversion therapy is “a terrible, inhumane, dangerous practice” that needs to come to an end. I agree with him on all counts.
Except under extraordinary circumstances, I do not believe that people choose their sexuality. Certainly I didn’t, and I would be appalled and frightened if someone tried to make me change. It is part of who I am. It is the way I came. I can’t imagine that a person who happens to be LGBTQ would feel any differently in terms of their own situation. How a person deals with their sexuality, whatever it is, is another matter, but again within the law it is their business and not ours.
Conversion therapy, in my view, is repugnant, discriminatory, and cruel. It has no place, no matter how small, in the Conservative Party, and I believe Erin O’Toole should have made that crystal clear by insisting on a whipped vote for this particular legislation.
I recognize that my views here are controversial. Indeed, I intend them to be and that is one of the reasons I write a weekly column. I enjoy debate, I enjoy stirring things up, and most of all I appreciate the comments we receive on Listen Up, the vast majority of which are a thoughtful contribution to a healthy conversation. Often they disagree with what I have written. I expect and appreciate that. It is called dialogue!
I must admit, however, to frustration at times when a comment does not address the merit of an opinion, but rather disagrees with it because someone else at some other time did it too. Sometimes it reminds me of my childhood, excusing something I did wrong by crying that my sister did it too! Usually, I did not get away with that!
In relation to this article, I expect that some will question why I single out one particular college when they believe other colleges and universities practise discrimination as well. Again, that may be true but it doesn’t change the facts related to this particular institution.
I also know that some may question how I can call myself a Conservative, or for that matter a Christian, for what I have written here. I do hope they are wrong on both counts! I am pretty sure I know who I am, but I look forward to the conversation!
Sometimes it is important to disagree with people who you support—and with whom you often do agree—when you believe they are wrong. In my view, it creates a balance and perhaps even a correction which under other circumstances might be missing.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Hugh Mackenzie
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T.hank you, Mr. Logagianes. The PCs under Bill Davis extended the full public funding to separate schools to grade 13. As my Canadian History teacher husband reminds me, Roman Catholic separate schools existed in Ontario, prior to Confederation. The separate system was “created” under the British North America Act, section 93, which guaranteed the preservation of Roman Catholic schools in Ontario – much before Davis or Ford were born.
I have weighed into most conversations about Ontario education by supporting a strong, vibrant public education system. This article has prompted my thoughts about colleges/universities which do not measure up to standards – in this case, my understanding is that Canadian Christian College does not meet standards, certainly not for their graduates in counselling – whereas there are other Christian associated colleges which do meet the necessary standards for their graduates.
My remarks concerning DF were meant to show the con party’s departure from the former PC party; they were meant to highlight the change and my belief that Stephen Harper is still influential in the back rooms of both provincial and federal Con parties.
Hope I have understood your thoughts and better clarified mine.
Ms Kear
The PCs under Bill Davis created the separate catholic school system not Doug Ford. You can thank Mr Davis for funding one religious organization in Canada while ignoring the rest.
With a multicultural society such as ours It’s embarrassing to fund one segment of society while ignoring the rest.
Hugh you are correct stating that we need accountability from our political leaders.
Check out the link to Martin Regg Cohn’s article in Toronto Star today, “PCs once rejected college. Why won’t Ford?”
https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2020/11/02/progressive-conservatives-have-rebuffed-the-canada-christian-college-before-why-wont-doug-ford-do-it-now.html
Stephen Harper ushered in populism a la GOP style, Ford is an adoring acolyte and willing student. He has long since broken with Bill Davis’ PCs. Academics is not DF’s strong suit, neither is process.
Ontario’s continued apartheid school system is an embarrassment in the 21st century. Dividing children by religion. Quebec, Manitoba and Newfoundland abolished their parochial school systems blending them into one. All polls over the last 40 years in Ontario by a 75% margin favour one public school system. Spineless politicians of all stripes are to afraid to change this out of date status quo.
Ms. Kear: You are consistently the voice of intelligence and reason. Have you ever considered writing an occasional column for The Doppler?
There is definitely a place for sex education in the high school curriculum. To me, it is equally relevant to aboriginal history; which I believe; was also eliminated. As far as there being ANY PLACE for conversion therapy in 2020 (as one reader suggested; feeling that nurture trumps nature in 100% of instances); some things are just plain wrong.
And please somebody correct me if my information is no longer current, but at one point, OHIP was funding conversion surgery. As living in the body of the wrong gender was considered a disability under the AODA, 2005; it as the legal course of action.
Well stated on these issues Hugh. We do not need educational or political organizations (or those who speak for them) throwing their influence behind behind hate of another group.
Thanks, Hugh, for opening up this can of worms. As it happens, I agree with your point of view on this matter (we don’t always agree, but that’s all the better).
We are a secular society, and we as taxpayers should not be funding “religious” schools, Catholic, Hebraic, Christian Reformed (yes, I/we grew up in the CR tradition). Or, for that matter, accrediting them when they fly in the face of our secular norms.
We have a robust, pretty inclusive public education system. Let’s support and nourish that.
Hugh you are a wonderful human being!
Mr. Boyes; the key here is that this particular College does not measure up in course, program. There are other Christian associated Colleges/Universities which DO.
Also, leaving kids alone with sex education is negligent. All teens don’t suddenly turn to their parents for information on this topic – developmentally, they are busy slowly breaking from parents trying to be individuals. As a part of a health curriculum and in partnership with Pubic Health, age-appropriate, accurate information can be shared.
I agree with Judy Hall.
To your points, I don’t see why it is always such a sore point when a Christian College which teaches literal biblical interpretations wants acreditation. As long as they meet the other curriculum requirements what does it matter? Would the same scrutiny apply to other applicants ?
Judy Hall’s point applies here. If we are to sterilize teaching institutions from religious teachings how can the Catholic /public funding duality in Ontario be public policy? Who gets to decide what is acceptable and what is not? Hipocracy, cowardice and inconsistancy are words which çome to mind here.
Where conversion therapy is concerned I think this topic has many dimensions. I do believe that we evolve and become sexually orientated by natural forces. If we are left to purely natural forces we become who we naturally become. Are there instances where developement is distorted? Are there circumstances where counter measures are desireable? Exploring these topics shouldn’t be prohibited out of hand. A child’s developemental environment is a factor.
I also believe that children should not be confronted in school with a politically correct woke presentation of every possible sexual eventualaty.
Leave the kids alone! Teach them math, history, civics, english and science.
Hugh, good to hear your voice. Sorry, I am not surprised that DF seems unaware of what it takes to become an accredited university/college in the province of Ontario.
He has chosen to listen to the influence of Charles McVety regarding public sex education (backtracked, nuanced only) and now attaining status for the Canadian Christian College.
Perhaps this is payback for support at the polls in the last election from this particular socially conservative group (take issue anyone). Degrees from this college in psychotherapy cannot stand on their own to achieve recognition by the College of Registered Psychotherapists/Ontario College of Psychology. I suggest that the programs/courses do not measure up to standards.
Additionally in your article, concerning the back & forth of government missteps/scandals. It is important to bring these into the conversation. It is not difficult to find these in any party. No party is more righteous than the other. Party platforms are important for voters to know, but heading into governing is another matter. And MUCH is required of those in power.
It seems to me government leaders have a better chance in avoiding scandal and trying to navigate the terrain of governing, if they choose and listen to very talented, qualified advisors and change these folks up from time to time.
Ontario should fund one school system and one only. A non religious public school system
This is how It was when I went to school and I have some of the best religious and non religious
frends anyone could ask for.
Making elected people accountable. How? When they make up the rules and stop listening to the people
once elected. Maybe impeachment? Tar and feathered on mainstreet?
Tis a wonderful world!
Good points. On the education issue, our province stills funds religious based educational systems with property tax indicated dollars. If my memory is correct, the UN ruled Ontario should end a secular education system or fund all religious education the same, no choosing one religion to educate over another.