Last week, my mention of Burke's "little platoons" raised a question or two by readers I saw over the next few days. I was genuinely sad to hear that several people had never heard the term before, and that others weren't sure it was relevant in that context.
This gave me pause for thought and I have come to firmly believe that there is a need for an annual forum in Prince George dedicated to discussing the role that civil liberties and civil society play in our democracy.
There is clearly an interest in this subject by way of the forum on Bill C-51 that saw people from all sides of the spectrum come together and discuss the terrifying aspects of that bill.
To date, Bill C-51 has not been repealed, but the opposition to it remains strong and crosses partisan lines in our city, which is a rare unity that ought to be encouraged in my opinion.
For even if Bill C-51 is repealed tomorrow, opposition to government overreach is a topic that needs constant attention.
That last point sounds quite right-wing, even libertarian, but it is important to understand that government overreach is a problem for everyone, as power knows no loyalty and coercion has no boundaries. And for those who would argue that certain political sentiments about power are inherently ideological, they should recall that it was a Libertarian candidate who summarized his ideology as "I want gay married couples to defend their marijuana plants with guns."
Further to this, I mentioned to progressives in my previous column on Bill C-51, "I hope feeling 'targeted by Harper' gives you pause for thought and empathy. For a great deal of your neighbours, co-workers, and family members, feeling targeted by public policies and agencies of a distinctly ideological bias is just a way of life."
How many progressives repudiated Ian Capstick, former strategist of the NDP, for openly attacking the tax-exempt status of churches, even as they now provided an invaluable service in resettling refugees? How many left-wingers have openly criticized the implementation of licensing for ATV's, which produces a barrier and offers no new services to subsistence hunters?
How many residents defended city council's decision to rename the park by calling all opposition racist?
To put it more bluntly, it's not all about carbon taxes and identity politics.
As poverty rates rise, as power becomes ever more concentrated around the world, there is a need to ask simple, fundamental questions that cross the political divide on issues from the economy to the environment, as well as to what extent our fundamental rights and non-government organizations have a role to play in our world.
And so it is my hope to plan a conference where such questions are asked, in partnership with anyone who would like to help in its facilitation.
I would prefer that such a forum or conference be held in June, given that is the month of the Magna Carta's birth, but obviously the date will depend on those interested enough to participate.
In the end, I am well aware that there will never be an end to partisanship and differing opinions. But the strength of the West and the freedom we enjoy hinges on being able to have those differing opinions as well as communicating them respectfully.
It's high time Prince George had an entire annual event dedicated to such ideals.
I hope you join me in building it.
