Editor,
Readers please note that supporting an advocacy group or voicing a strong opinion on a specific topic does not necessarily make a politician a single-issue candidate. Politicians typically address a wide range of concerns and priorities within their communities. For instance, if a politician in Meaford supports the SGB group, it is likely they also advocate for other important matters such as upgrading water treatment facilities, addressing traffic challenges on Highway 26, protecting agricultural interests, managing population growth, overseeing waterfront development and protection, and monitoring corporate influence on council decisions. Labelling someone as a single-issue candidate oversimplifies their role and undermines the complexity of municipal governance.
A more pressing concern in Meaford is the state of democracy itself. There is frustration when elected council members appear to ignore the wishes of those who elected them, making decisions contrary to constituent demands. Democracy is founded on the principle that people elect leaders to represent their preferences and govern effectively. Elections empower citizens, and politicians who fail to listen to their constituents risk losing public support and re-election. This is what I referred to in my last letter.
The advancement of this Trans Canada Energy (TCE) Pumped Storage Project exemplifies these challenges. In February 2023, the Meaford council voted to conditionally support this project, pending various checks and balances. However, the mayor at the time, Mr. Kentner, chose conditional support despite his constituents’ clear opposition—they expected an outright “no” vote, a stance that had contributed to his election. This decision signalled a disconnect between the mayor and the community, raising concerns about democratic accountability which continues to this day. One could argue that the 2022 election revolved around a single issue—the TCE project—and the outcome should have reflected the electorate’s will. Instead, the mayor’s actions resembled more of a dictatorship than a democracy, as he appeared to disregard his supporters’ wishes: “conditional” or not.
This week, Grey Highlands declined to join the Georgian Bay Archipelago in rejecting support for the TCE project. This decision is perplexing, given that local constituents unanimously advised council to oppose the project. Despite clear and vocal opposition, council voted in favour, contradicting their professed commitment to represent local residents. Such actions fuel suspicions about possible undisclosed influences or collusion at play, especially when warnings about water and environmental risks are ignored. These events leave concerned citizens demanding transparency and answers from their elected officials, as this is not the standard of democracy that communities expect or deserve.
Pat Maloney, Meaford
