To the editor:
An apology is in order.
Many members of this community, over the course of their lifetimes, have suffered discrimination - because they were Jewish, or gay, or members of first nations or visible minorities.
European immigrants were called DPs and women have been fighting for equality since the “Women as Persons” Act. After a lifetime of fighting the good fight and even winning now and again, it seems the right to dignity and self-respect continues to elude.
Now it is age-based discrimination – by one of our city officials. In a controversial statement, Mr. Hobbs declared that opposition to the events centre comes mostly from seniors.
What was he suggesting? That seniors have nothing better to do than attend meetings and complain? He should be aware that seniors judge sincerity well and know disrespect when they hear it. They have been chased and patronized by vote-seeking politicians, but seldom so publically dismissed.
The mayor may say that he did not intend any offence, but intolerance for the seniors position was dramatically expressed with his immediate snub of efforts to advance a plebiscite after attending the public meeting organized for that purpose.
There is to be no plebiscite, now or later Mr. Hobbs tells us. It was the strongest declaration of authority we have seen from a mayor who tells us repeatedly that he cannot make a decision because his vote is only one of 13.
Earlier, the CBC offered sober second thought on events centre initiatives including analysis by experts in the field. The Argus, Lakehead University’s student newspaper, also thoughtfully but unflatteringly evaluated it.
The mayor did not think it appropriate to include journalists and students among those questioning the proposal. In truth, the events centre is the subject of debate that spans the city and crosses generations, but the mayor chose his battle in a political tactic he may regret - he singled out seniors. What happened next was perfectly predictable.
Media reported the story and it didn’t take long on the net and within the community to associate opposition to the facility with out-of-touch “cane shakers” and people who may not be alive to enjoy the city’s latest legacy project. Generation was successfully set against generation to invalidate efforts to get a real discussion going on this new facility and toward free and democratic expression. So much for municipal government being the most democratic.
The logic of the tactic is puzzling. Population projections show in 2016 the number of persons in Thunder Bay aged 50-64 will be 35,407 while those 65 and over will be 26,610 out of a population of perhaps 110,000 (108,359 according to the last census).
Those over 50 represent more than half the population of the city. Silent in all this is the Age Friendly Thunder Bay Steering Committee (part of the city’s official plan) chaired by Rebecca Johnson. Her committee is well aware of the democratic deficit experienced by seniors in Thunder Bay because seniors have reported barriers to inclusion in civil government to her committee.
Age-friendly means more than housing, traffic lights and parks. It also means respect and inclusion in the government of the city. Councilor Johnson reportedly is happy she doesn’t have to deal with “boring” issues like flooding and snow clearance, but perhaps she should at least be vocal in those issues she is tasked to improve. She should distance herself from the Mayor’s comments, as should council. The mayor may say he meant no disrespect to seniors, but then he should explain what he did mean.
Perhaps he should apologize now.
William Olesky,
Thunder Bay
