One of the most important tasks I have as a public school educator is empowering my students to take an active role in the Canadian political process. If I am going to ask my students to be active citizens, then I need to model the desired behaviour.
I've honestly been very impressed with the response I've received to my inquiries from elected officials on the local, provincial and federal levels. The argument "I don't say anything because they won't listen to me" simply does not hold water in our Canadian system. Yes, I too have been frustrated by leaving voice mails with politicians and not getting any response but the key is to not just leave one message and then walk away. We are dealing with very busy and hardworking people. The key to getting through to them is persistence, plain and simple.
When we persist and look for opportunities to speak to our politicians, amazing things happen. I read recently that Prince George-Peace River- Northern Rockies MP Bob Zimmer was hosting "coffee with constituents" at various restaurants around his vast riding. I took the opportunity to meet with him and, after waiting for only a few minutes, I was able to speak to him one on one for more than a half-hour, expressing my views on several national and international issues.
It was clear that Bob and I did not agree on all topics and he never asked how I voted in the last election. He clearly wanted to hear what I had to say, however. He was doing his job as an MP and I was doing my part as a citizen. That is how a democratic system functions.
I listened attentively as Bob told me about his government-sponsored trip to Israel, where he gained insights into the goings-on in that troubled country. We agreed that anti-Semitism is a real and dangerous threat in the world and I gained his interest when I spoke of the need for a clear definition for the term.
Before he entered politics, Zimmer was a high school teacher, so he clearly understood the importance of academic freedom. Pro-Israeli groups are proposing a definition which is very vague and quite frankly makes me fearful as an educator. I brought to his attention a clearer definition proposed by Independent Jewish Voices Canada (IJVC):
"Antisemitism is hostility, prejudice, defamation or discrimination against Jews, individuals or as a collective, because they are Jews. It includes essentializing Jews by attributing to them characteristics or behaviors that are deemed negative and/or are harmful to non-Jews."
Bob agreed to discuss this topic further with IJVC and I agreed to establish email contact between him and the organization. I am confident that Bob will bring his newfound awareness to his parliamentary colleagues in Ottawa.
This is only one example of democracy in action and it illustrates how important it is for Canadians to dialogue with their government officials on all levels. Though I do not agree with my representatives on many issues, I recognize how hard they and their staff members work for their constituents. I am also very grateful for their ability to put aside partisan issues and dedicate their efforts to the people in the communities which elected them.
We in Canada are among the most fortunate people in the world. Our country is not perfect and neither is our democracy. The key point is that have a democracy, whereas people in many other countries do not. We have the power to be a voice for the voiceless, and the ability to make Canada what we want it to be. It is our job as citizens to embrace this responsibility.
-- Gerry Chidiac is a champion for social enlightenment, inspiring others to find their greatness in making the world a better place. For more of his writings, go to www.gerrychidiac.com
