Editor,
This past Saturday, I had separate conversations with two highly educated and well-travelled individuals, both originally from Poland but with no connection to each other. The first remarked that Canada—and Ontario in particular—were far from being democratic in policy and governance. The second, in a different conversation, argued that the actions of the Canadian government are perilously close to a Russian-style dictatorship, citing abuses of basic democratic policies and rights. I am shocked: they make sense.
-Loss of Accountability in Government and Corporate Behaviour
An article in the March 7th edition of the Toronto Star’s Opinion section, titled “The Age of Impunity,” captures a troubling trend: it seems that Canadians, especially in Ontario, have lost their sense of shame. There is a growing tolerance for lies, deception, collusion, and even occasional criminal behaviour among government and corporate actors. Despite their disregard for democratic standards, we continue to allow them to govern.
Politicians are becoming increasingly disconnected from their constituents. The Ontario Provincial Government, for example, is spending tax dollars on projects of questionable value without adequate research. Their primary mandate should be to spend public funds wisely, but this is not reflected in several recent initiatives.
– Highway 413: This proposed highway would cut through valuable farmland and already stressed environments to connect to traffic-challenged highways such as the 400, 404, and 401. The aim is to improve automotive commuter traffic, but the real solution lies in expanding electrified commuter train systems, which would be more efficient, reduce commuter costs, and provide greater value for Ontario taxpayers.
– Highway 401 Tunnel: Another proposal involves tunnelling under the GTA to relieve commuter automobile traffic. However, the same facts apply as with Highway 413: investing in electric train commuter systems would offer better value for taxpayers and provide a more sustainable solution.
– Energy Policy:
The Ford government, under Minister Lecce, claims to be seeking “clean, efficient, and low-cost” energy solutions for Ontario’s future needs. However, without proper due diligence or transparent public review, they are pushing for the adoption of the most expensive, outdated technologies—namely nuclear energy production and pumped energy storage—while ignoring modern, renewable alternatives. Decisions appear to be driven by corporate agendas rather than responsibility and accountability. Ontarians deserve better; the province is not “Ford Nation” it is called Ontario!
– Government Advertising and Promotions:
There is now an abundance of government advertising—across newspapers, radio, social media, and television—promoting decisions made behind closed doors. Minister Lecce and Premier Ford are aggressively advancing energy projects without due diligence, using taxpayer dollars to promote multi-generational, costly, and potentially obsolete projects. Meanwhile, modern and sustainable solutions are available. The use of public money to market these questionable initiatives raises serious concerns about transparency and priorities.
-Single Source Bidding and Democratic Principles:
The democratic bidding process for major projects, including those overseen by the Ontario Energy Board and IESO, appears to be undermined. “Single source” project approvals should only be used when there is truly only one supplier, but that is not the case for energy storage solutions. The proposed Pumped Storage Project on DND 4-CDTC Niagara Escarpment lands in Meaford exemplifies questionable use of power, municipal council secrecy, and federal and provincial government coercion.
What began as a questionable idea for the Meaford Pumped Storage Project has become an even more problematic proposal, driven by money, investments, government lobbying, and a corporate agenda. Technology has since advanced, offering better solutions, yet this outdated option persists.
Trans Canada Energy (TCE), once a pipeline company, reviewed previous assessments for a pumped storage facility on DND lands, which indicated that the project would not yield a reasonable return on investment. Nevertheless, TCE was granted “single source” approval to proceed, with government agencies like the Ontario Energy Board giving approval on the grounds that no other companies expressed interest—likely because the project was already known to be a poor investment.
Are democratic principles being abandoned? My understanding is that as far back as 2016, TCE applied for access to the military base. Over the next 2 years TCE quietly communicated with our DND requesting priority access to the base to conduct feasibility tests: had not these already have been explored by 2014? The then-mayor Barb Clumpus met with TCE about this project in December 2018 but agreed to keep the project secret from Meaford council. This secrecy continued until 2019, when TCE publicly announced their plans, and the process began in earnest.
How do we define corruption? How do we address those who ignore ethics, trust, and democracy? In the lead-up to the Meaford 2022 municipal election, Ross Kentner who spent years vigorously opposing the project with support from other opponents like SGB won the election using this platform. Later after a meeting with then energy minister Todd Smith he reversed his support, abandoned his trust and ethical obligations to his residents and persuaded council to vote 5-2 providing “willing host” for this boondoggle. Yet he serves his term! The lure of monetary rewards from TCE, in the form of a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA), proved persuasive. Three years later, Meaford residents remain in the dark about the contents of the CBA while Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveny dissolves PSAC: the public access to information on the project! Council continues to meet behind closed doors, withholding information from the public and violating the transparency expected in a democracy. Our Meaford community will be better off once council’s participation is finished. Impunity is not what we need. Instead, we must demand action, resist complacency, and expose the comfortable relationship between government and corporate interests that persists even in our own communities.
Pat Maloney, Meaford
