GuelphToday received the following letter from Gordon Webb regarding evoking the notwithstanding clause:
I am writing to an open letter to the MPPs in our area. As one of your constituents who are concerned with the recent decision of the Ontario Conservative government, under the direction of Doug Ford to erode democracy. Evoking the notwithstanding clause to circumvent our lawful democratic process and overrule the courts is undemocratic. The courts are a branch of our democratic process.
As part of this democratic process the court rightfully ruled against Bill 254. The judge recognized that this law infringes on our rights and freedoms because it will suppress voters rights to engage in insightful and thoughtful dialogue. It forces strict limits on anyone speaking out against the government’s policies for a full year before the election.
The judicial process is vital part of our democratic system as it ensures that governments are not permitted to implement laws that will erode our democracy, the rights of the electorate and rights on the individual. This attempt to implement policy regardless of the decision of a branch of our government will weaken the electorate's ability to engage in the democratic process and will undermine our rights and freedoms.
As an MPP will you condone Doug Ford’s muzzling of families who have lost loved ones as the result of bad policy decisions? They want nothing more than to hold Doug Ford accountable for the disaster in long-term care homes. They only want to ensure their loved ones deaths were not in vain.
Are you willing to allow Mr. Ford to silence the parents and educators who urged him to make classrooms safer? He and his Minister despite their own consultants advise placed students and their caregivers in danger and eventually forced the closure of an entire provincial school system. You are allowing this government to muzzle the workers and the medical profession who are urging him to implement paid sick days?
Invoking the notwithstanding clause clearly shows that this government is shirking is responsibility to uphold the rule of law and its mandate to uphold democratic rule. Why is this government insisting the electorate not be allowed hold this government accountable for its record? What is it so afraid of that it is willing to erode our democratic process to silence the electorate? And why was this hastily done in the dead of night over a weekend? Will you be counted as an MPP who whitewashed democracy in favour of partisanship?
As your constituent I am asking you vote against implementing the notwithstanding clause. I would also ask the government demand the resignation of the Attorney General for failure to uphold their responsibilities by ignoring the court's decision in favour of rank partisanship. It is that person’s job to support the judicial not allow their leader to denigrate it.
There should also be transparent vote to ensure the electorate is fully aware of those Members of Provincial Parliament who have failed their oaths of office which require them to observe and comply with the laws of Canada and Ontario and stomped on our rights and freedoms as’
Doug Ford's failure to uphold the rule of law is deplorable and as a Member of Provincial Parliament it is your responsibility to respect our democracy by voting down this unconstitutional gambit. Do not allow one person destroy our democratic system of government as has happen south of our border.
It is your responsibility to ensure we maintain a strong vibrant democracy. Not a fascist state following a demagogue who is trying to prevent the electorate from exercising their rights and freedoms by holding on to power at any cost Your vote will certainly tell your constituents whether or not you voted for democratic rule. Your vote will either snub or support your constituents’ right to a fair and democratic society.
Stand up and do the right thing. Say no to this abuse of power. Or be recognized as someone who failed to stand up to this abuse of power.
Gordon Webb
