I’ve lived in Clarington for over 40 years and have been involved in municipal politics for much of that time. I’ve canvassed for candidates, knocked on doors, attended meetings, asked tough questions, and participated in public debate.
In all those years, the worst thing that ever happened was someone disagreeing with me or shutting a door in my face.
Never, not once, have I personally experienced the level of attacks, harassment, bullying, intimidation, and toxicity that I have encountered on the Change for Clarington Facebook page during this election cycle.
To be clear, I’m not a candidate, nor do I intend to become one. I’m simply a resident who believes citizens have the right to ask difficult questions of people seeking public office without being attacked, ridiculed, or silenced.
Democracy isn’t about surrounding yourself with people who agree with you. It’s about answering questions, accepting scrutiny, and engaging respectfully, even when it’s uncomfortable.
I will continue to ask questions of candidates, regardless of who they are. That’s not harassment. That’s civic engagement.
If asking respectful questions results in attacks, blocking, intimidation, or attempts to silence residents, then we should all be concerned about the direction of our local political discourse.
Clarington deserves leaders who welcome accountability, not fear it.
Clarington deserves better.