OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to a letter about the possible annexation of Oro-Medonte land, published Feb. 19.
The proposed annexation of Oro-Medonte land by Barrie and Orillia has been the subject of many articles in BarrieToday and OrilliaMatters. A most recent letter by Tim Taylor of Oro-Medonte indicates concern that both Doug Downey, attorney general of Ontario, and Andrea Khanjin, minister of the environment, conservation and parks, have failed to stand up for the ratepayers of Oro-Medonte.
As a former 14-year Progressive Conservative member of Parliament and former federal cabinet minister, let me try to explain why that is so. I sympathize with all the elected representatives involved.
I also sympathize with Mr. Taylor.
Once you are elected as a municipal, provincial or federal representative, you quickly find that there are plenty of issues that command your attention.
You also find that there are issues that you should not become involved with unless you are a municipal representative. Annexation issues are that kind of issue. If Doug Downey (full disclosure, Doug is a close friend and former law partner of mine) or Andrea Khanjin were to get involved in this issue, which side would they take?
Mr. Taylor takes a position. Given their profile and current responsibilities, would it be appropriate for either Doug Downey or Andrea Khanjin to take the same position or a different position publicly.
During my time in office, I forget whether or not the issues were provincial or municipal, and what they were, but I do remember being frustrated from time to time that my position as an elected federal member of Parliament or cabinet minister prevented me from engaging publicly in a debate.
I believe that to be the case, no matter what party an elected representative represents.
Congratulations for researching the issue and expressing your view publicly, Mr. Taylor.
Doug Lewis
Orillia
