There was some interesting political posturing this past week in Ontario. New democratic party leader Andrea Horwath came out of semi-retirement to embarrass herself and, in the process, she reminded Ontario voters that the Ontario liberals really do have a leader. Horwath even called him Mr. Del Duca. What it all added up to was more pig-headed posturing from premier Ford, voters finding out that Horwath is as confused as ever and being reminded that the provincial liberals really do have a leader.
The real winner out of this ménage was the liberal leader. Any chance he gets for some ink is a win for him. And especially when he is on the side of the vast majority of Ontario residents.
It seems Mr. Del Duca made the relatively unnoticed suggestion that health care and education workers should get vaccinated against COVID-19 or find a new line of work. It seems Ontario’s dim-witted premier said something like “firgetaboudit” and then forgot about it. Meanwhile our NDP leader was invited to be interviewed by the CBC and was asked about Mr. Del Duca’s suggestion. And that was when she blew it.
Ms. Horwath climbed on her high horse at the question and ridiculed Mr. Del Duca for his silly suggestion. It seems she puts her idea of charter rights ahead of the safety of medical patients and school children.
It was not until her caucus of colleagues at Queen’s Park got in touch with her, that she found out she had done wrong. Her NDP warriors wanted to woodshed her for her putting the Canada’s charter of rights and freedoms ahead of the safety of sick adults and children.
What Ms. Horwath did not seem to understand is that there is a growing anger among the Ontario population that anti-vaxxers and other thoughtless people are endangering the rest of us. Despite the excellent response by about 80 per cent of Ontario residents 12 and older, some people remain willing to risk ill-health and death rather than get vaccinated. She had to take back her careless remarks.
I am a strong believer in individual rights. I also believe if you want to play Russian roulette with your life, you may—but not near me.
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Copyright 2021 © Peter Lowry
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