Once again, I’m astounded that Canadian politicians would politicize such tragic events as that of 17-year-old Rehtach Parsons. Allegedly, her suicide was driven by repeated bullying stemming from an apparent sexual assault by several young boys in 2011. Allegedly, pictures were taken during the incident and subsequently posted on the Internet. This in turn led to her becoming a victim of bullying at school and elsewhere in her Nova Scotia community. Following an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of the alleged sexual assault, the prosecution determined that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges against the attackers. Needless-to-say, while this case is indeed sadly another symptomatic example of cyber and other forms of bullying leading to a tragic ending, we need once more to take a hard look at surrounding causes. We need to look at possible prevention and assistance elements in such cases. However, once again we have politicians who are singling out one unfortunate case to promote some kind of a political agenda. Prime Minister Stephen Harper should have stopped his media comments at his words of condolences for the family and friends of Rehtach Parsons. Recognizing it for its tragic circumstances. Instead, he continued on to frame certain alleged events in the context of criminal acts, stating that the very word “bullying” cannot be used in cases where a criminal act has taken place. Yet, we have in place a justice system that is based on evidence and the principle that persons are innocent until proven guilty. The system is driven by adherence to the Canadian Criminal Code, and is meant to be impartial and without undue political interference. Yes there was a public outcry in this case and even the threat of vigilante actions both from within and outside the aggrieved community. Interestingly, the investigation into the original assault has since been reopened by the RCMP, apparently based on new-founded information. My point however is simple. On the one hand, the justice system has to be allowed to function independent of any outside pressures, political or otherwise. On the other hand, the whole matter of “bullying” in this country has to be approached in a much broader social context in order to develop good proactive prevention strategies and effective assistance programs and campaigns. Let’s not confuse the two. The suicide rate among young people in Canada is far too high as it is. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24. According to Statistics Canada, 25 people in Canada aged 10 to 14 committed suicide in 2008. Bullying may be one contributing factor, but not the only one. However tragic each youth suicide is, each is one too many. Let’s not play political games when real solutions need to be continuously examined.
Justin Trudeau is More than Just a Pretty Face
Oh pooh ho, I’m getting a little tired of media gibes and media hype surrounding young Justin Trudeau and the Trudeau legacy. Of course, a majority of Canadians when polled would associate his family name with that of his father, former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau. This is just a natural as Americans recognizing the Kennedy or Bush names. After ten years of Steve, oh excuse me Stephen Harper, why wouldn’t a young dynamic individual stir up some excitement. Let’s face it, under control freak Harper and the blah ‘Conservatives’, politics has become as dull as sitting on a nest of Canadian geese eggs and hoping that they’ll eventually hatch. Come on folks, let’s recognize at least what Obama did for the States! He galvanized a whole generation of American youth to actually become interested in the political electoral process. After all, Canadians and Americans under forty represent their country’s future and should now take a leadership role. Justin Trudeau, at forty-one, has shown that at a minimum he can relate to the emerging common values of young Canadians: including those related to sexual orientation, new technologies, the environment, marriage, work-life balance, the legalization of marijuana, etc. The message appears to be one of hope and change and not of fear and retrogressive social policy thinking. Sure, there will be comparisons made to his father, both his famous and infamous traits. However, it’s been 45 years since his father won the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada, inspiring a whole country. A hell of a lot has changed since then and Justin Trudeau may just be the person to reflect many of those changes on his own terms — hopefully once again motivating a whole new generation of voters.
The Canadian Senate Needs to Disappear, and Soon!!!!
In recent weeks, a number of media accounts have emerged revealing inappropriate spending by Canadian Senators. It appears that some Senators aren’t certain where their “primary residence” is, although their appointment is based on the province which they are supposed to be a resident and to represent. Instead, we have Senators living year round in Ottawa who are claiming out-of-town residential and other expenses based on summer cottages, empty lots, and parental residences. Ouch!!! Now, taxpayers, who are already paying crazy salaries, endless benefits and exorbitant pension plans are on the hook for these additional costs. All for Senators who in many cases are in the Senate a few months of the year. Cushy job, how does one get appointed? Easy, just chum around with the current Prime Minister or work, run for or support the ruling party at some time in one’s past. Frankly, this so-called “honourable” institution of second sober thought needs to disappear. It’s no more than an out-dated anachronism. Provincial/territorial governments have performed quite well without a second level of governance. Can we really afford to continue to fiscally support an old boys/girls club in Ottawa? This is the twenty-first century and the Net Generation is changing the way in which politics is carried out and how societal policies are developed. They won’t stand for the continuance of outdated, expensive and exclusionary processes. At least, I hope that they won’t.
