Ontario is not the United States, but under the current Conservative government, we are witnessing a steady and deliberate dismantling of democratic institutions and practices.
The Conservative's move to shield their records from public access is just one of many very troubling anti-democratic moves.
They've also:
- taken over school boards
- meddled in how judges are appointed
- eliminated whole levels of regional government
- brought in strong mayor powers so one mayor can override councilors
- refused to take bills, including massive omnibus bills, to committee for public consultation.
- Getting rid of fixed election dates, so they can call on election when it works for their party.
Ontarians deserve a government that respects local institutions, values public input, and upholds democratic norms. We must stand up for these principles, not just when they are convenient, but especially when they are under threat.
The erosion of democracy doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through a series of small, calculated decisions that chip away at our institutions and silence our voices. We must remain vigilant. We must speak out. And we must demand better.
BREAKING: The Ford government is changing Ontario's Freedom Of Information act system, effectively gutting a tool journalists use to obtain documents related to government decision-making:
- The Premier, Ministers and their offices will all be excluded from the FOI system.
- This applies to all existing requests
- Only civil servants can be FOI'd
- The government is extending the response timeline from 30 calendar days to 45 business days.
#onpoli