Dear Editor,
Many of my friends and colleagues have received unsolicited funds. The amount is curious as everyone is receiving the same amount. Circulating in many circles are rumours saying that everyone in Ontario will receive a cheque in the amount of $200. In a world of fraud, scams and general greed my first response is to treat this scheme with skepticism and maybe even a well-placed bit of fear.
In doing a bit of research I have determined that the Ontario government is issuing these cheques. Now I am curious indeed! Is it possible that some vast glitch has gripped the computer system handling finances in Ontario and issued cheques without the knowledge of the finance minister and the entire department charged with the fiscal care and control of Ontario’s treasury? Listening to news reports I have reached the conclusion that no such massive systems failure has taken place.
Taking a little while to reflect on the generosity of government to give me and others our own money back I was initially pleased. This quickly turned into disappointment as I now came to understand that there must have been some kind of mistake and that I, and others, have indeed received the money in error.
For most of the last seven years I have condemned the government of Ontario for underfunding what had been a robust public sector where pillars of a civil society and social democracy such as healthcare and education were embraced, treasured and adequately funded. Had I been mistaken and was the sitting government trying to make amends and were the cheques merely incorrectly directed? Had in fact that computer glitch pushed all this money into $200 increments instead of directing to the ethical and moral destination of public services. Services that all people, regardless of status or socio-economic status could access equally and that would once again flourish.
I have come to the conclusion that there had to be an error, but as far as the motives go that is unclear and will no doubt become clear now that an election is underway in Ontario. However, I have chosen to help Ontario overcome this mistake of sending out individual cheques and I will be sending an equivalent amount to a local hospital or school board or other social service that has been denied adequate funding for so long.
Finally, I hope that all recipients of these cheques will do their best to make use of the money in the best possible way. There will be many where the need for immediate relief of their current situation means that keeping and using the funds forthwith is the only alternative. Others will hopefully help mitigate the bigger mistake of misdirecting the funds to individuals and put the money in the hands of previously mentioned entities.
Lastly, as we make our way to the election and the ballot box, the best thing anyone of us can do is vote in a manner that is based in being an educated voter and not wedded to the axiom of “I have always voted this way”.
For my local public services, I hope you will soon be overwhelmed with $200 contributions from the people of Ontario.
Dave Trumble, Kincardine
