LETTER

Parties are special-interest groups

 

While we have many reasons to doubt the intentions of Action Gatineau, my objection to this municipal party runs deeper.  I contend that political parties (at all levels) are essentially highly organized special-interest groups. They are more concerned with serving their own interests than serving the public. At federal and provincial levels, we have enshrined a system of oppositional party politics that is designed by, and expressly for, the benefit of political parties.

If Canadians want true electoral reform and to move on reconciliation and decolonization, we should consider designing a new democratic system that does not allow political parties to jockey for the right to impose their will upon us.  But asking these institutions of power (and their feeder economy of marketers, pollsters, pundits, unions, lobbyists, industries, etc…) to voluntarily give up their strangle-hold on the electoral system is a pipe-dream.

At the municipal level, we still have a chance. A municipal party gets into the game on the promise of speeding up “inefficiencies” at the council table. Well, if a council composed of independent members takes more time to debate the issues rather than go with what the ruling party (and their feeder economy) wants done, then I would say that’s taxpayers’ money well spent!  

In the Bulletin d’Aylmer, mayoral candidate Clément Bélanger appealed to voters as a “peace-maker” who could heal the rifts in municipal council. This is excellent, but he finished with a very dangerous idea – that if harmony could not be achieved, he would consider forming another party to oppose Action Gatineau. This is the worst thing that could happen! With one party, we are already polarized as to whether we are voting for a councillor who will best serve our ward, or whether we are voting for or against the concept of the municipal party. If more parties get involved, their opposition will validate their own existence. Once they invest their efforts and money into locking horns to win the power struggle, we suckers who are left to vote for the lesser evil will be the losers.

People of Gatineau, please pay attention to who is running in your ward and for mayor!  Choose the individual who will serve you best.  One political party (Action Gatineau, or any other) is campaigning to put itself in power – but it needs your vote to do so.     

Graham Gauthier
North Aylmer