EDITORIAL: In one deaf ear

by Brandon Mayer

       When I took over ownership of this newspaper, I didn’t anticipate that we would be covering two major elections within two months of each other. Provincial and federal politics are both so critical to our day to day lives – cost of living, health care, education, taxes and benefits… these things (and many more) all rely heavily on who we vote for. To be honest, I’m looking forward to the election being over so that we can put the focus back on North Dundas specific issues. But as is to be expected, during a critically important and historic election, even North Dundas residents are talking non-stop about federal politics this month. 
       I was hoping to run an all candidates debate for our local riding – Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry. A debate needs a host, and it is common for newspapers to act as a host. The Glengarry Times has put a debate together for April 13 in Glengarry County. Three local agricultural federations put together a debate in Stormont County on April 15. Unfortunately, Dundas County will go without, as we received two “yes” answers and two “no” answers from candidates regarding a proposed April 19 debate. Without an answer from the other two candidates, and as little two candidates able to attend, we will just go with the Q&A model for Dundas-specific issues. 
       As you will read elsewhere in this issue, there are six candidates locally. Eric Duncan, of course, for the Conservatives, and Sarah Good for the Liberals, as well as Mario Leclerc for the NDP, Gordon Kubanek for the Greens, Cameron Tuck for the PPC, and Karl Ivan MacKinnon for the Libertarian Party. I don’t expect more candidates for our riding, unless an independent candidate runs. There are 16 political parties registered in Canada, some serious, some decidedly not. The beauty of democracy is that anyone can register a political party. Two examples of real and fully registered federal parties make this clear: the Marijuana Party, and the Rhinoceros Party. Canada also has a registered Communist Party, and of course the Bloc Quebecois, which appears to serve no real purpose beyond unapologetically calling for the separation of Quebec from the rest of Canada. 
       I try to stay neutral during elections. This is for my sake, not for the sake of others. I’m not delusional enough to think I can influence other people’s votes. Rather, I don’t fancy blindly kissing the backside of one party over another. I want candidates to prove themselves to me. Blind allegiance is not smart voter behaviour. 
       Politicians dumb things down to appeal to the masses. They try to win of us over by throwing classic verbal right hook punches at their opponents, inspired by the time they served in Mrs. Jones’ grade 3 class. All candidates childishly insult each other, and it works. It gets people fired up and they choose sides, rather than focusing on the issues and the party platforms. We need to stop taking offense to other people’s choices. I could write pages and pages detailing the reasons why I feel the way I do about each party and candidate, and I’m sure you could too. We sometimes forget the complexity of politics. There’s no need to be enemies – the beauty of democracy is that we won’t always agree. 
       Locally, Eric Duncan continues to be… well, Eric Duncan. There is a reason North Dundas lawns are painted with so many blue signs. It’s hard to understand where Duncan finds the time to do all that he does. He organized the NDDHS reunion, and more recently, a passport clinic at the school. He once showed up at a celebration of life I attended in Chesterville. He used to come in and order a coffee at the old Cup of Jo’s at random times while I was there having staff meeting or interviewing someone. He has called my cellphone numerous times, including a week after I bought The North Dundas Times to congratulate me. Despite being a North Dundas native and former Mayor of North Dundas, Duncan’s social media accounts show that he is active all over the riding. Those fighting to replace him have their work cut out for them. Duncan represents something that politics is missing from far too many other candidates: on-the-ground interaction with everyday people. 
       A strong runner up is Sarah Good, who has introduced herself here in the Times as the Liberal candidate. She seems very friendly, and the ease of reaching her has been welcome. She was the first to respond to my idea of a North Dundas debate, and her answer was yes! I am still hoping we can put something together.
       The People’s Party candidate – Cameron Tuck – also has an email address prominently posted, and with some digging I was able to find contact information for Gordan Kubanek as well, though not in the first days of my search. While not as easily reachable, these candidates obviously understand the position they are fighting for: a Member of Parliament is a representative of the people. Candidates won’t vote for you if they can’t reach you. I have not yet had a chance to look up the newest addition to the ballot – Karl Ivan MacKinnon.
       I struggled for days to find contact information for Mario Leclerc, but finally got in touch with a press secretary for the campaign, through whom all communication is directed. I asked for a phone number or email for Leclerc, and none was provided. In my view, there should be no struggle to get directly in touch with someone who wants to represent SD&G at the federal level. Our opinions, suggestions, and concerns should not be going in one deaf ear and out the other. A way to reach each candidate should be the first priority of each party. 
       More political discussion can be found elsewhere in this issue. Don’t worry – it will all be over soon!