Fortunately, most nations of the western world have maintained a clear separation between church and state. We see many nations where lack of that separation causes many problems for both the quality of governance as well as for religion.
At the more local levels - school boards, county and municipal councils - the process of separation has been at times a contentious issue, and in a few instances there remain a few vestiges of the old links between the civic and faith realms. The elimination of scripture readings and the Lord's prayer from public school classrooms has been achieved, although we continue to hear a few individuals complain about the change - in most cases because they do not really understand the reason for it.
A few years ago I was asked to speak at an in camera session of a county council (not Huron County). I was shocked when the meeting was opened with everyone being asked to rise and repeat the "Our Father". I can imagine the commotion that would arise if someone on that elected body were to make a motion that this practice be eliminated, yet it is clear to me that such a motion is long overdue.
Here is my reasoning.
County councils, like all municipal councils, are created to serve their entire community. To maintain a tradition of opening each meeting with a Christian ritual is a clear signal that this court is giving special and discriminatory recognition of a group of people of a particular religious tradition. All other religious groups are thereby diminished in the status they enjoy within that community. The situation also suggests that "this council is not prepared to welcome non-Christians as members of this body even if they are elected by their community".
We live in a pluralistic society made up of people from many faiths as well as those who follow no religion, and our laws and charters guarantee that none of us should be discriminated against for the orientation choice that we make. Those who do not subscribe to the religion "favoured" by their local government may well feel that they are regarded as a sub-class of citizens.
I am proud of the fact that most Canadians have accepted the separation of religion and governance in most regions and in most respects, and they understand the reasons for supporting this ideal. Many years ago working in other parts of Ontario, I experienced many heated debates on these matters, but those days have passed. Today virtually everyone understands and accepts the nature of our current society. They understand that the debate was not a pro-church versus anti-church debate, but rather a move to eliminate significant signs of religious intolerance in our local government operations.
About a remarkable Ontario village
Showing posts with label local council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local council. Show all posts
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Amalgamation
Small Towns Under Siege
Amalgamation
In the year 2000 an amalgamation took place which combined the Village of Blyth, the Township of East Wawanosh, and the Town of Wingham into the new Municipality of the Township of North Huron.
It was a very unpopular event and as far as I know, the only people who claim that any benefits came of it are members of the resulting councils. In Blyth, I would judge that the majority of the people considered the amalgamation to be a “takeover by Wingham”. Frequent comments like “All the revenues from the Threshers’ Park and Memorial Hall and our taxes are going to Wingham” indicated that. even though people knew about the formation of North Huron, it felt to them as though Blyth was being robbed. Those feelings still exist nine years later.
Amalgamation has taken place. Whether it was a good move or bad, whether we like it or not, there is no point now to complaining about it. There is, however, a very important lesson that we can learn from the process, a lesson that we need to learn.
Amalgamation was yet another example of control moving elsewhere; an example of decisions affecting our community being made outside of our community by people who may or may not share our understanding, our culture, our needs, our aspirations, our history. Not long after amalgamation, the potential hazard from this arrangement became obvious. The new council seemed bent on erasing our unique identity, and treating all three wards as if their historic realities were of no import.
An informal group (the Blyth Idea Group [BiG]) took form very quickly and decided that since council was not doing its job for Blyth, they would form some plans and urge the community and council to support them. The most tangible evidence of this group’s efforts is the street signage around the village. These are not just fancy replacements of drab old signs that went before: they are a revelation to visitors and locals alike of the many assets we have as a village, of the community’s vibrancy, of the things we have achieved over the years by volunteers in collaboration with visionary local councillors. They change the way Blyth was and is now perceived.
The lesson for Blyth is that they need strong representation in the local council, representation by people who know and value the special nature of Blyth and who are capable of communicating that awareness. Furthermore, the people of Blyth need to remain vigilant and watchful to ensure that Blyth continues to thrive and to build on its resources and values.
This is how Blyth can contribute most to the success of North Huron and to the County of Huron.
Amalgamation
In the year 2000 an amalgamation took place which combined the Village of Blyth, the Township of East Wawanosh, and the Town of Wingham into the new Municipality of the Township of North Huron.
It was a very unpopular event and as far as I know, the only people who claim that any benefits came of it are members of the resulting councils. In Blyth, I would judge that the majority of the people considered the amalgamation to be a “takeover by Wingham”. Frequent comments like “All the revenues from the Threshers’ Park and Memorial Hall and our taxes are going to Wingham” indicated that. even though people knew about the formation of North Huron, it felt to them as though Blyth was being robbed. Those feelings still exist nine years later.
Amalgamation has taken place. Whether it was a good move or bad, whether we like it or not, there is no point now to complaining about it. There is, however, a very important lesson that we can learn from the process, a lesson that we need to learn.
Amalgamation was yet another example of control moving elsewhere; an example of decisions affecting our community being made outside of our community by people who may or may not share our understanding, our culture, our needs, our aspirations, our history. Not long after amalgamation, the potential hazard from this arrangement became obvious. The new council seemed bent on erasing our unique identity, and treating all three wards as if their historic realities were of no import.
An informal group (the Blyth Idea Group [BiG]) took form very quickly and decided that since council was not doing its job for Blyth, they would form some plans and urge the community and council to support them. The most tangible evidence of this group’s efforts is the street signage around the village. These are not just fancy replacements of drab old signs that went before: they are a revelation to visitors and locals alike of the many assets we have as a village, of the community’s vibrancy, of the things we have achieved over the years by volunteers in collaboration with visionary local councillors. They change the way Blyth was and is now perceived.
The lesson for Blyth is that they need strong representation in the local council, representation by people who know and value the special nature of Blyth and who are capable of communicating that awareness. Furthermore, the people of Blyth need to remain vigilant and watchful to ensure that Blyth continues to thrive and to build on its resources and values.
This is how Blyth can contribute most to the success of North Huron and to the County of Huron.
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