Dear MPP Sabawy,
My name is Angelo Mateo and I am a resident of the Mississauga-Erin Mills riding at postal code L5M 4K7. I am one of your constituents. I am writing to you today in regards to the original Bill 5 – Better Local Government Act, the new Bill 31 – Efficient Local Government Act, and the use of Section 33 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (better known as the “notwithstanding clause”).
I am emailing you specifically because I disagree with your government’s bill. Moreover, I disagree with your government’s use of the Notwithstanding Clause. Most importantly, I disagree with your vote yesterday afternoon in favour of Bill 31, and your support of your government’s blatant disregard for Charter rights and freedoms, guaranteed for all Canadians.
Firstly, it has been difficult to contact your office. Your telephone line does not seem to be set up and you are not responding on social media – other than to send an email. Others I have talked to from our riding have said that they have not received a response from you on any avenue – including email. As our MPP, you have a duty to respond to your constituents’ concerns.
Secondly, the Progressive Conservative party – most especially not yourself – did not campaign on the issue of reducing the size of Toronto City Council from 47 to 25. The people of Ontario did not elect your government to do so. There exists NO MANDATE for your government to do this. Moreover, YOU DID NOT CAMPAIGN ON THIS ISSUE. YOU LIVE IN MISSISSAUGA, NOT IN TORONTO. YOU REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS OF MISSISSAUGA-ERIN MILLS, NOT THE RESIDENTS OF TORONTO. This issue DOES NOT AFFECT YOU. At the very least, you should choose to abstain your vote or choose not to attend the vote. (Preferably, you attend the vote and vote against the bill because it disregards our Charter rights).
You continue to make mention that your government was elected with the “mandate from the people of Ontario to ensure a streamlined government.” No you don’t. Your party did not campaign on cutting city councils “to ensure a streamlined government.” You did not campaign on that issue. Your government was elected with just 40 per cent of a 58 per cent turnout—that is, 23 per cent support of the province’s citizens. You were elected by the citizens of Mississauga-Erin Mills by just 41.70%. You cannot claim to represent even the majority of the people of Ontario, or even the majority of the people in your riding. You are choosing to support a bill that does not affect your residents when you do not even half the majority support of the people – not to mention the disregard for the Charter rights. **And how much are you saving the Canadian taxpayer for cutting the number of Toronto City Council seats? $25 million over four years? Our democracy, our rights and freedoms, are worth that much to you? **
And that is the most important point of my letter. I am ashamed of your contempt for democracy, your assault on the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Canadians by the Charter, your attack on our independent judiciary and your disrespect for the rule of law. The judge argued in his decision that Bill 5 violated the Sec. 2 freedom of expression rights of the political candidates who were running. Invoking the notwithstanding clause specifically attacks their rights. But in a general way, by choosing to invoke the notwithstanding clause for Bill 31, these are the rights you are choosing to disregard:
- “Section 2:
• freedom of conscience
• freedom of religion
• freedom of thought
• freedom of belief
• freedom of expression
• freedom of the press
• freedom of peaceful assembly
• freedom of association - Section 7: right to life, liberty, and security of the person.
- Section 8: freedom from unreasonable search and seizure.
- Section 9: freedom from arbitrary detention or imprisonment.
- Section 10: right to legal counsel and the guarantee of habeas corpus.
- Section 11: rights in criminal and penal matters such as the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- Section 12: right not to be subject to cruel and unusual punishment.
- Section 13: rights against self-incrimination.
- Section 14: rights to an interpreter in a court proceeding.
- Section 15: equal treatment before and under the law, and equal protection and benefit of the law without discrimination.”
The Premier has stated that he intends to use the notwithstanding clause in the future. How many more of these rights will be attacked? How many more Canadians will lose their rights and freedoms, all because your Premier says so?
Charter rights are only strong when people care about them and choose to affirm them. We choose – I choose – to affirm these rights and stand up when they are attacked. If the rights of others are disregarded, then the rights of all are disrespected. Whose rights will be attacked by your government – or any Canadian government – next?
You MUST vote “NO” in subsequent readings of Bill 31. I urge you to show some backbone and democratic integrity and vote against your government and leader. Our Parliamentary system is set up so that MPPs, like yourself, should listen to their constituents and hold the government accountable. Be courageous and stand up against this attack on our democracy. It is your duty to uphold our Constitution, our Charter Rights and Freedoms, our rule of law and our impartial judiciary system. If you can’t do that, you’re failing your job and serving blind loyalty to your undemocratic leaders. If you vote in favour of the Bill and with your party, you are not worthy of Mississauga-Erin Mills’ leadership.
Please listen to your constituents and vote NO to Bill 31, vote NO to the notwithstanding clause, and vote NO to attacks on our rights and freedoms, and the erosion of democracy in Canada.
Sincerely yours,
Angelo Mateo