I’m watching events in the United States with concern. The United States has gone from our closest ally to a nation engaged in economic warfare against us – with steel tariffs expected to hit Hamilton especially hard.
The United States has a long town hall tradition. Congressmen are expected to open the floor to their constituents and hear their viewpoints.
It is an honourable tradition, one we no longer have in Ontario.
I’m enjoying the video clips of Republican congressmen being challenged by constituents for supporting President Donald Trump’s threats against Canada (among many issues).
The Republican Party leadership is advising its members to stop holding town halls.
This brings me to the point of this blog post: We should acknowledge (even if begrudgingly) the ‘honourable’ [or honorable in American English] nature of continuing to hold town halls despite the opposition of political party leadership and standing in front of a room knowing they’ll be featured in unflattering social media clips.
It is much easier to hide.
I think back to the 1995 to 1999 first term of Ontario Conservative Premier Mike Harris. Wentworth North MPP Toni Skarica not only went to town halls – he went to town halls in the heart of NDP-held Downtown Hamilton.
Skarica, who holds deep convictions, faced a packed Club Continental (near Gage Avenue and Beach Avenue) full of Hamiltonians opposed to Harris’ legislative agenda. He listened, defended his government’s reforms, and was yelled at for them.
In 2000, after Premier Harris forced amalgamation in Hamilton – breaking an election promise not to – Skarica resigned his seat and retired from politics.
Honour matters, even in moments such as this when we are all asking – why are the honourable allowing dishonourable actions.
Addition: Here’s an NPR Boston story on Democrat town halls in Massachusetts, where people are expressing frustration at the Dems.