Another Week, Another Bad Idea (or two) from the City of Victoria

Our city is beleaguered with many just hoping not too much more damage is done before the next election, with many just hoping that enough, good, qualified and competent people step up to the plate, and hoping that enough people do what they must (get out and vote) to ensure the next group of people elected to govern our city does a better job of it. Yet, with each week, it would seem another bad idea comes to the forefront - another idea that is divisive or damaging. This week brought two such ideas.

The first bad idea was an effective cancellation of Canada Day. No fireworks. A subdued event. Lisa Helps offered that a moment of silence was in order, rather than fireworks. The joy and pride of being Canadian is being replaced with guilt and shame because we are recognizing that we, like all other nations on the planet, have parts of our history that do not meet modern standards of conduct. While many would like to imagine a Canada where those who were here when the country was colonized retained control and governance, that did not happen. Nor was our country born of war like our American cousins - rather we chose to evolve while maintaining a respect for the systems of governance that were imported to our country by the British. We are yet again, in a time of evolution, where we are elevating the indigenous aspect of our nation - we are recognizing their rightful place, alongside the British and the French as forbearers of our country, we are making amends in significant ways and are working towards reconciliation with the indigenous.

Sadly, the idea of reconciliation has been twisted by some who, rather than seeing it as an opportunity for our country to become even better (more inclusive, more just, more respectful), see it as demanding retribution for the misdeeds of those who settled this country. There is, a disturbing demand, that rather than respect our history (for what has been done, cannot be undone) and add to it, and seek to do better going forward, one misdeed should be repaid by another (erasing that same history, and replacing pride with shame). That will not repair the damage either economically or socially that was done to the indigenous people of Canada. It is retributive justice, not restorative justice. 

Victoria, needs to celebrate Canada day - we need opportunity to celebrate the progress that we have made and continue to make towards being a place that people are proud to declare as their nationality. The Canadian Experiment, is a country with open hearts and open minds, a country willing to be the result of evolution rather than revolution. I'm grateful indigenous Canadians are still standing as when most other countries were conquered in history, those who were conquered were often driven to extinction by one means or another. Colonization - had tremendous harms (that should and need tobe recognized). While it led to dramatic improvements in the quality of life for some, the harm it caused to others cannot be overlooked and forgotten. There are important lessons we need to learn if we are to avoid similar harms in the future - harms that can stem from replacing our communities wholesale so that our community resources can be economically exploited without due consideration.

The second bad idea - tithing the proceeds from new property tax revenue to local first nations. This is an idea that is well intentioned (as is the idea of cancelling Canada Day), however, again is ultimately a bad idea because it doesn't make things better and very likely can make things worse. Our municipal government needs to focus on managing the budget it has to deliver the services it must (things like policing) - and should refrain from expenditures that are wholly outside of its jurisdiction. The city should be duly reminded that treaty negotiation is a provincial and federal affair. The settlement of any such outstanding claims is not a municipal matter and muddling by the city in that matter is likely to undermine those efforts. In addition, to the degree the city misappropriates tax revenues for activities outside of its mandate, it undermines its duty to ensure the services it provides are done in a cost efficient way that improves affordability for residents.