Community News

'TRUTH DECAY': GET IT IN CHECK BEFORE YOU VOTE

MAKE SURE THE PLATFORM YOU SUPPORT REALLY IS WHAT YOUR PREFERRED PARTY WILL EXECUTE, SAYS MONTY LASKIN

MONTY LASKIN Column Monty Laskin is CEO, Caledon Community Services.

"Truth decay" is a term making the rounds these days. It polarizes the political and moral divide apparent in the public discourse of every large and not-solarge contentious matter. It increases disagreement about facts; it blurs facts and opinions.

Truth decay is something to reflect upon heading into the provincial election.

Full disclosure: I want Caledon voters to reflect upon people in our community who need community support for their health and well-being, particularly because so many have been horribly ravaged by the pandemic. I want all political parties to consider how they, and all Ontario communities, can step up and be their very best in this regard.

This phenomenon of truth decay has me worried. I think it can disproportionately harm the most vulnerable among us here in Caledon.

Seniors, those with disabilities, people struggling with food security or unstable housing, newcomers to Canada and others have had it tough for two years. Their experience during the pandemic has been nothing like those of us with privileges such as secure homes, ample wealth, a strong personal support network and more. The pandemic from an equity lens is a virus that touches everyone differently.

Caledon Community Services provides health, employment, transportation, settlement and poverty reduction services. Every political party has something to say on these matters — some more thoughtful and earnest than others.

If the care of the marginalized and underprivileged is an afterthought in your preferred party/candidate's platform, don't count on much attention being given to it in the next four years.

Truth decay is eroding and obscuring this fact. Voters should be able to get accurate information to discern a party's platform on matters related to those needing community support. A voter should know how a party's platform translates into actions in the years ahead on matters related to care for the less advantaged.

Alexander Hamilton, among others, said: "In a democracy we really do get the governments we deserve." So, here's a call that asks you to consider how our provincial government can best support those who need a leg up.

I know of no party that suggests the Antoinette-esque approach of "let them eat cake." I do think that if you agree we are our brother's keeper, what a party believes to be the best way to support the less advantaged is a good metric for your voting preference.

Affordable housing, newcomer's settlement experiences, repairing an inadequate social safety net, ODSP, accessible transportation, employment training, health care, mental health, equity and inclusion, the environment are all social determinants of health that should factor into our voting preferences.

But truth decay obscures facts, drives us further apart and intelligent discourse gets lost.

I hope Caledon voters are truth seekers. Because the truth matters. Truth decay creates a government based on misled voters; the disenfranchised get poorly represented with myth and half-truths.

Before you cast your vote, make sure truth decay is wrestled to the ground and you're certain the platform you support really is what your preferred party will execute if they form government.

OPINION

en-ca

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-05-19T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://communitynews.pressreader.com/article/281668258583608

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