The Erosion of Democracy in Pickering and Beyond

By Lisa Robinson - Pickering City Councillor In the heart of Pickering, a troubling trend is unraveling – the systematic erosion of democratic principles. The very foundation upon which our society thrives, the democratic process, is under attack, leaving citizens disenfranchised and their voices silenced. The Corporation for the City of Pickering seems to be on a rampage, spearheading changes to policies and procedures that chip away at the rights of its citizens to engage in their governance. Fundamental to any democratic society is the ability for people to ask questions, seek transparency, and hold their elected officials accountable. However, these pillars of democracy are crumbling in Pickering. Questions posed to staff and/or Council go unanswered, or their responses are veiled in half-truths, leaving citizens in the dark and fostering an environment of distrust. Time limits on speaking are arbitrarily slashed, question period removed, stifling of dissenting voices and undermining the principle of free speech. Microphones are muted at the whim of those in power, censoring viewpoints deemed unfavorable or inconvenient. The recent banning of public video recording last Monday night, grants the Corporation of the City of Pickering the unchecked authority to shape its narrative. I, and others have personally witnessed glitches and time jumps when reviewing the City’s previous meetings. Not having accurate recordings makes it impossible for those to see and/or hear the truth of public meetings that are held within Council Chambers. This move potentially provides the city with a tool to manipulate its narrative at will, easily eroding the public’s trust in its government. Bullying and intimidation for years have always played a part within Pickering Council. With Councillor’s now presenting opposing views on hehalf of their constituents, these tactics of bullying, intimidation, and now name-calling, have also begun to run rampant, in lockstep with the censoring. Opposing views of Councillor’s on behalf of their constituents are met not with dialogue or debate, but with threats of referral to integrity commissioner and character assassination, all of this is just a distraction, while issues that challenge the status quo or expose political posturing and corruption are swept under the rug. Residents of Durham, Pickering, and beyond are not only being silenced but have also been facing trespassing charges or even arrests for simply refusing to halt their speech when instructed by the mayor, or worse, for expressing their feelings. I, in no way, condone threatening behaviour, however, it is important to distinguish between actual threats and mere feelings of threat. Just because someone feels threatened does not necessarily mean a genuine threat exists, and we must avoid conflating the two. This alarming trend illustrates a dangerous shift where individuals' feelings seemingly trump basic democratic rights. This underscores the urgent need to confront and challenge the erosion of democratic values, ensuring that the rights of citizens are upheld and protected against arbitrary suppression and intimidation tactics. Governments at all levels, not only Municipal, continue to widen the gap between themselves and the people, fueling frustration by spending taxpayer's money with reckless abandon, as if it were their own, without true community engagement or accountability. The days of consulting “the people” and putting their interests above all else seem to be a distant memory. Sadly, Pickering is not alone in this assault on democracy. This death of democratic values reverberates across many municipalities, signaling a pervasive and insidious threat to the very essence of our society. Councillors and School trustees have been resigning amidst bullying and intimidations from colleagues with some tragic cases resulting in loss of life, while governments preach mental health advocacy and boast of code of conduct policies yet permit group targeting of individuals simply for carrying out their duties for the constituents. In the face of such adversity, we are beginning to see a rise in citizens standing united in defense of democracy. Demanding accountability, transparency, and the restoration of our fundamental rights. We the people have a right to be heard, respected, and valued. The democratic process is not a privilege reserved for the few but a right belonging to us all. I stand in solidarity with our Charter of Rights, the people of Pickering, and the preservation of the Democratic process. I believe in upholding morals, truth, and integrity, and prioritizing the needs of the people above all else. "Strength Does Not Lie In The Absence Of Fear, But In The Courage To Face It Head-On And Rise Above It"