Re: “Threat of Violence Still Hangs Over Caledonia”

I take issue with one of the allegations lobbed by this writer – that the police are using race as a principle upon which to decide when to enforce the law in Caledonia. This is a refrain that has been heard time and time again, and one against which the police have been unable to defend themselves. While I am not pro (or anti) police I do think some of the more vocal residents of this area have worked hard to unfairly characterise the police as racist – or more accurately, to characterise the exercise of police discretion as somehow based on considerations of race and not on some important societal goal or value. The oft-repeated allegation has been that the OPP is conducting “race-based” policing. Rage and anger naturally ensues.
The story goes like this: The police have failed to enforce the law against the Natives on the former Douglas Creek Estates (DCE) land. The police have not failed to enforce the law when non-Native activists, and others, have attempted to enter this same disputed land. The logical conclusion, so the story goes, is that the police are using reverse discrimination to prefer the interests of Natives over that of non-Natives.
There are at least three problems (two logical and one systemic) with this familiar fable.
First, the person alleging race-based policing is making a leap of faith. He or she is assuming decisions that result in the seemingly different treatment of different peoples must be based on race. The person making this argument assumes the police are making decisions based predominantly on race, to the near total exclusion of justice, security, peace, public order, or other operational considerations.
Second, this allegation treats correlation (the fact that particular decisions seemingly correlate with race) as causation (the motivations or cause of the treatment). This slight-of-hand confuses one into believing that race, and not some other factor, is the cause of the manner of policing, rather than the correlative result.
The third problem is more worrisome. This allegation, based on a party trick and unsupportable assumption, has served to sour relations between the residents of Haldimand and police. People have lost faith in the men and women who, every day, work hard to protect our communities, and right wrongs.
A more likely story, and one that I think has been born out in the process and result of the last six years, is that the police have been charged with the thankless and difficult task of standing between two warring groups. In that middle ground, police have had to take into consideration, in conjunction with the goal of law enforcement, the greater goals of security, peace, stability, and operational viability; all while also trying not to derail a slow-moving political process of negotiation and discussion. In that effort to promote these grander goals and processes, the police have, it appears, acted diligently to maintain an admittedly less-than-ideal status quo pending resolution of this dispute through negotiation.
This more likely story takes into consideration the fact that (unless you are a conspiracy theorist) most police officers are fair-minded individuals who chose policing in order to do good – not evil. It also takes into consideration the fact that police officers are like you or me and therefore not likely to be motivated by the goal of reverse-discrimination. It also takes into consideration the fact that police officers in Caledonia are operating in a difficult situation – many competing values and goals are in play – and making difficult operational decisions about how to maintain law, order, peace and promote resolution to a problem that, in 350 years, has yet to be solved, makes for tough working conditions.
We should all, therefore, take issue with the allegation that the OPP are engaged in race-based policing. It is too facile an explanation to a very difficult and complex issue; its treats police as vapid politically correct monkeys and it takes us for fools. It is towards this uncritical allegation, and not towards the police, that our collective rage and anger should, naturally, be directed.

Visit http://www.thespec.com/opinion/columns/article/565045--criticism-of-the-motives-of-police-caught-in-the-caledonia-conflict-are-unfair

What is a Canadian??

I think that we ought to consider the notion that it is our ideas and values that bind us, as Canadians, together.
The problem with a community uniform, or required religion, is that it precludes change based on a prejudice of - or for - historical continuity. But, ideas, or values, based on human notions of justice, or value, or dignity, are more flexible and promote the very foundations and reasons for coming together as a nation in the first place (just look at the American and Canadian Constitutions as examples!): To do things collectively that we, as individuals, could never achieve alone. It is here, deep in the purposes for coming together as a community, that we should look for the "isms" of our national identity - not to constraining gimmicks or superficial badges of membership.

So, the next time you are asked "what is a Canadian" you can say that, far better than an itchy national costume or salty dish, we have a strong sense of community built on ideas of interdependence, independence, justice, equality, and dignity - and that interestingly, these are the same reasons for Man leaving the "state of nature" and entering into civil society! And, unlike so many other places on earth, there is, for example, no ethnic or religious requirement.
In this sense, Canada is a modern nation, built not on historical prejudices but on the triumph of reason and rationality; a people, of diverse makeup, driven by a common purpose that fosters basic human conceptions of the good, the right, and the just.

Indeed, being Canadian is not, cannot, and should not be so narrowly encapsulated in any costume or uniform – this is not “dress up” or “for pretend”. Being Canadian it is not something you wear on your sleeve or pin on your shirt – its complexity is not encapsulated in a slogan, sport or food; it’s not defined by the color of your skin – and it is not something so easily mimicked or feigned. Rather, it is something one feels and quietly practices as a right and obligation of membership. A way of life built on value and purpose - shared and valued by our fellow Canadians, and fellow human beings around the world. It is our ideas that bind us together, as one: The true north strong and free.

More Corporate Tax Cuts - a Good Idea?

With recent discussion surrounding the issue of corporate tax cuts, I thought it best to post this link to a recent Globe and Mail article. It provides a basis for some alternative thinking on the issue.

(If the link, above, does not work, the article can be seen by going to the below-mentioned address)
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/the-economists/five-reasons-to-say-no-to-more-corporate-tax-cuts/article1886449/

Bick’s Closure shows Councillors must have business Experience

News of Bick's Pickles' impending closure is unfortunate for everyone in Haldimand. For the employees, families and farmers supplying Bick’s, it’s nothing short of tragedy. This closure should serve as a wake-up call for Haldimand. It highlights the need to attract and retain businesses in our community. Bick’s closure is a symptom of a larger problem facing Haldimand.

It is clear – now more than ever - that every effort must be made to ensure businesses stay in Haldimand. There is another community rejoicing because Bick's is moving to their community, providing jobs and contributing to their tax base.

The obvious conclusion of these recent events is that our new Council must be proactive, and have the business skills and experience to compete with other communities. We need councillors who know how to support existing business and attract new ones.

The challenges we face as a community are many: Family farms are under threat, jobs are moving elsewhere and youth are moving away to find new opportunity. But, together we can succeed and prosper. We have a well-trained work force, good transportation network, and solid infrastructure. Our community can prosper with well-paying jobs for today’s work force and our children. We can do this and still protect what is important to us: Our way of life and the natural beauty of this area.

On October 25, residents from across this county will make an important choice when they elect their new council. If we are to take anything from the loss of 150 full-time jobs at Bick’s, it is this: Councillors elected on October 25 must have the skills to attract and keep jobs here.

If you believe, as I do, that this is the change we need elect me to council for Ward 2. I am committed to work as part of your council’s team.

To contact Fred, go to http://www.electmorison.ca/ or call 905-772-1060 or email morison@electmorison.ca

Fred Morison, of Cayuga, is a Business person and active member of the community. Fred is running as Candidate for Haldimand, Ward 2.