In our system of government debate is at the heart of democracy. The freedom to speak our opinion on an issue of government is not something to be taken lightly. In fact it’s something that wars have been fought over and that many people around the world still don’t have as a basic freedom.
From that perspective, the recent debate around Bill 18, regardless of which side of the issue you are on, has been positive. Far too often, issues that impact all of us move through the provincial Legislature or federal Parliament with hardly a word of public debate. That is something that often frustrates lawmakers, academics and the media who wonder why significant policy decisions elicit so little public attention.
So the level of discussion around Bill 18 is positive because it has engaged people in a debate that is important. Bullying is something that impacts everyone, directly or indirectly, and how it can be reduced deserves public attention.
But not all discussion or debate is of equal value. Too often, both on the debate around Bill 18 and other public policy issues, instead of attacking an issue, comments attack individuals. These types of arguments add little to the debate or discussion. Quite the opposite, they often provide a distraction from real issues and discourage others from providing their opinion.
On the issue of Bill 18, I have received more public feedback than on any other issue in my political life. While I believe the Bill is not an effective way to deal with bullying, I have appreciated hearing from those on all sides of the debate. I have received emails and letters from those who hold a different view than I do on this Bill that are thoughtful and sincere and they have helped me to better understand their positions. I have greatly appreciated these and in many ways they have shaped the way in which I speak to the legislation. They have added to the debate.
But I am also aware that there has been significant comment around this Bill that has, from all sides, personally attacked individuals and their motives for having the position that they do. Those comments actually diminish the overall debate and they diminish the argument of those making them. Sadly, some people have told me they will not enter into the debate on Bill 18 in a public way because they will get labeled by those on the opposite side of the debate.
Issues in the public arena are often heated and often emotional. That isn’t a negative thing. And the fact that people are willing to engage in the debate is incredibly important to our democracy and our way of life. We are privileged to be able to live in a country where we can feel free to engage in those debates. It is part of the freedom that many have sacrificed for. We can honour those sacrifices by engaging in respectful debate that vigorously focuses on an issue, not on each other.
