By Parry-Sound Muskoka MP Scott Aitchison
Anthony Housefather is a Liberal Member of Parliament who represents the riding of Mount Royal in Montreal. Before his election to the House of Commons in 2015, he served as mayor of the city of Côte Saint-Luc for 10 years. He is a lawyer and was a competitive swimmer and polo player in his teens. Currently, we serve together on the Heritage Committee.
On January 11, 2021 he posted the following message on Twitter:
“Watching @Twitter the level of vitriol in Canada and gotcha politics is rising on all sides. We do not want to go down the US path where two different realities exist and policy differences are buried in personal attacks. We are all human & err. Let’s try to tone it down.”
I am grateful to him for posting this message and thankful that people like him choose to serve in public office. We have a similar style, and I would like to think that our approach to public life has been shaped to some degree by our municipal experience—a consensus-building model of government that is closest to the people.
When I was a mayor, I used to encourage my colleagues to be able to “disagree without being disagreeable”, and I always tried to lead by example. We could argue and debate at the council table, but then go out for a pint after it was over.
Today our political discourse is drenched in rage.
We have real problems in our beloved Canada that require real solutions—problems like lack of attainable housing, effective environment and climate change policy, insufficient access to mental health supports, lack of clean drinking water in First Nations communities and so many more. These challenges require serious people with serious ideas and serious action.
Our democratic system is designed for civic dialogue and debate of not just our problems, but the proposed solutions to them. When this system works well, that debate should produce better solutions—that debate should build a better Canada.
A key message from former U.S. President Bill Clinton’s first inaugural address is true in Canada: “There is nothing wrong with [Canada] that cannot be cured by what is right with [Canada].”
We live in the greatest country on earth. Together we have created a predominantly prosperous, free, and inclusive society that with the same determination and care we invested to get us to this point, we can improve on this success to ensure equality of opportunity for all, freedom and security for all, and inclusivity for all.
Former Prime Minister Diefenbaker declared, “I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.”
We all have a role to play in securing a better Canada for all Canadians and we will achieve so much more if we take the advice of my colleague Anthony Housefather—Let’s try to tone it down!
(Photo of Parliament Hill by festivio on Pixabay. Photo of Scott Aitchison courtesy of Scott Aitchison.)
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Paul Whillans says
While the platitudes in this piece may be compelling, they offer nothing in the way of correcting a spiraling problem. With millions in Canada being left behind on a daily basis; with financial inequality rising rapidly; with housing insecurity becoming mainstream and now with a pandemic reaping chaos largely on the poor and marginalized, perhaps condescending platitudes are the wrong message to send those who have every reason to feel disaffection and rage.
“Discourse”: Verbal exchange of ideas.
I have lived in Huntsville for “only” 7 years. In that time, first as Mayor and now as MP, I have never been aware of Mr Aitchison engaging in “discourse” with anyone but the business community; lobbyists and fellow conservatives. Does he actually ever talk to the citizen’s of Huntsville that are increasingly alienated…..and if so when and how?
While this may look like a facile opportunity to “trash”, Mr Aitchison, but rather it is a reminder that if you want civil discourse you actually have to engage in discourse. Telling people to “tone it down” because that is what good Canadians do is simply arrogant condescension. Perhaps Mr Aitchison should look in the mirror and ask what he can do to improve the discourse.
Bob Stone says
Thanks for this Scott. I know you are one to reach across the isle an go for a pint after vigorous debate. I have personally experienced it while working with you on Town Council, BUT my worry is that your leader and deputy leader do not embody those same ethics.
Nancy Osborne says
Well put Scott. This is where we need to start if we are ever want to actually address those hugely important issues.
In response to an earlier comment on this article, I have also lived in Muskoka while Scott has been both mayor and MP. We don’t always agree on politics and even though I supported the Liberal candidate in the last federal election, Scott and I continued then and now to have valuable discussions that always remain extremely civil. I believe we have learned from each other and provided perspectives to one another that we might not have otherwise considered. He has always been aware of my political leanings and although I may not have voted for the party he represents, I believe we are fortunate to have his personal representation in Ottawa. As Mayor, he welcomed me to his office (where we met for the first time) and both personally and through his office, provided support and assistance wherever he could.
He lives what he writes here. And I am glad to know that he and other MPs from all parties are recognizing the need for a different approach to democratic governance. Thank you Scott.
Susan Godfrey says
That op piece felt a lot like a “lecture” and came off, to me, as tone deaf. Anger, toned down or not, comes from desperation for many Canadians and can be the fuel that propels positive changes. Unfortunately, I didn’t see enough of that passion when you were involved in municipal affairs MP Aitchison.
Hugh Holland says
Well said Scott. Of course frustration and fear sometimes drives people towards extreme behaviour, but the principles you quoted are bang on. Since 2004, the avalanche of un-regulated electronic “social media”, gives unscrupulous leaders and others infinitely more-powerful tools to spread disinformation – instantly – around the world – every day. Canada is already great and we have potential to be even better.
We all want the same things in life. We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets. The debate should be about HOW to achieve that. Here are 3 more principles that can help to guide us :
“Most quality problems are system problems, not people problems” – Edwards Deming – Quality Control Guru
“Problems cannot be solved with the same mind set that created them.” – Albert Einstein – Physicist
“All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.“ – Edmund Burke – Philosopher
Don McCormick says
When I was a young man I had the luxury of “knowing” and I was prepared to argue ad infinitum the “rightness’ of my views. As I grew older and life’s experiences expanded my perspective I found I didn’t “know” quite as much as I had previously thought and was less confident in the “rightness’ of my views. I became more willing to really listen, respectfully, to other people’s views, to weigh them in relation to my own experiences and, often, to change or at least temper my current views as a result of that discussion. Life has taught me that things are seldom black or white, seldom all right or all wrong, but rather are just various shades of grey. Now, in my later years, I find I distrust anyone who “knows what is right” or whose views are either all black or all white, with no room for anything in between. We need to listen to each other – respectfully – and leave room to have our minds changed and to find solutions that, as much as possible, take other people’s views into mind – in other words be prepared to compromise. Compromise is the Canadian way and politics is the art of compromise. Beware of the arrogance of anyone who “knows they are “right” and is not prepared to allow that other people might have other views that are equally valuable. I support Anthony Housefather’s and Scott’s position. “Toning it down”, to me, means respectfully listening to each other and being prepared to be convinced of another point of view.
Rob Ord says
Rob Ord lawyer from Huntsville here. I work part time in New Zealand and have stood for Parliament in that tough little country, so I may be able to offer a useful set of lenses on this issue. Kiwis are conservative, but they believe in social safety nets, they listen to the science, they go hard & go early, and their women, immigrant cultures and aboriginals are right there in the conversation. Consequently there are vehement, but useful & informed discussions on just about everything. It is a road i personally hope Ontario starts to take, given i grew up when the Ontario (and for example the OMB) “old boys” network would, umm “filter” the views of others. Please just welcome the discourse and dive in!
Michael Petropulos says
Pretty flowery speech, but who are you trying to convince? The majority of Canadians do not “live in a predominantly prosperous, free and inclusive society”; not unless you work for the government, that is, making six digits plus each year; teachers, librarians, senators and M.P.’s included. If you don’t see why some folks might be a tad bit peeved over the dysfunctionality of our top heavy government have a look at Greece for a case study and better understanding. Honestly, how out of touch can anyone be not to understand why a growing number of people are becoming “enraged” with the over-paid and corrupt displays in the lack of leadership being witnessed and exposed almost daily? Yes, “our democratic system is designed for civic dialogue and debate”; but what do you do, then, when the P.M. arbitrarily shuts down that debate while flaunting the Rule of Law, the standard of which he supposedly represents? Diefenbaker is rolling over in his cold grave. It’s high time the gas gets turned up.
Bill Beatty says
How a simple request for civility as suggested by a member of the sitting government and passed on by a member of the opposition can deteriorate into a political critique is amazing .
Anna-Lise Kear says
Mr. Michael Petropulos; I do not understand what you are saying. I cannot follow your arguments.
For example, all teachers, librarians, do not earn 6-digit salaries. You might check out your information before making that statement.
With what examples of government corruption are you concerned?
Neither the Prime Minister nor the Premier of Ontario are “arbitrarily” shutting down travel, movement – they are trying to respond to a deadly pandemic in a responsible way. While Diefenbaker was in government, parliament may have had to deal with the polio epidemic, but he did Not have to deal with a Pandemic (which means, worldwide).
You are correct that there are those in government who flaunt the restrictions, when they travel out of country for vacation. It is galling when there are those of us who are following the guidelines to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
“Its time the gas gets turned up”- not a wise thing to say concerning our elected officials at this time. Please re-think your words. We understand you are upset, but words matter. Have you not seen how such rhetoric and populism in the US has ignited hate? Are you calling for us to hate our elected officials, teachers, librarians and anyone else you add to your particular list? The call to tone-down the language does not mean people are not angry or frustrated. It is a call to not add fuel to a fire, to Not “turn up the gas” in our communication with one another. Please take care.