This letter is addressed to Mr. Giede with regard to his article of Jan. 31.
In your column, Mr. Giede, you spoke about leadership and should it be based on purity or effectiveness. Wow! Even if the alleged crimes of these politicians had not been such a serious abuse of the power imbalance, could we trust an individual who we did not believe had personal integrity and who could cheat, harrass or molest?
Why would we think that individual could or would make decisions in the best interest of our citizens?
Of course, as I write this, I think of Trump and Putin, who many believe would commit any crime to hold power. Perhaps, the reason they have been elected is that those citizens who voted for them wanted a bully to be their voice.
I like to think that in Canada, we expect more progressive politics whether right or left, period.
Even though I am not a Liberal supporter, I very much admire Kathleen Wynne and her progressive, left-leaning policies such as the guaranteed income pilot and now the minimum wage hike.
You imply that the province's revenue will be negatively affected by the increased minimum wage. Economists disagree on the effects of a higher minimum wage, but even if there is a downturn, every working citizen should have more than just the basic necessities of life. It would be wonderful if minimum wage jobs were only a stepping stone, but many people, for a variety of reasons, do not have the skills or wherewithal to achieve higher level employment.
Would you have a beloved family member suffer in poverty because he or she was unable to earn more than a paltry minimum wage? Why should our society allow that for others? Whatever revenue-earning strategies are used by our governments, they need to include care for the most vulnerable.
You also mentioned that Ontario has become "a hellish place for... trying to teach your kids traditional values around gender and marriage..." If you mean teaching your kids intolerance towards other human beings who don't fit into two square pegs the religiously fundamental acknowledge, then maybe it would be difficult. However, the well-being of children is most affected by the richness and quality of home life they experience, whether it is in a heterosexual family or not.
I wish you and yours well, Mr. Giede.
Rebecca Austin
Prince George
