Reader letter: Governance model must be respected or freedom will be lost

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I have hated COVID-19 mandates and lockdowns. I like mandates and lockdowns. I am conflicted.

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There is a reason for them and a reason not to have them.

I like to think I am a rational person engaged in critical thinking—needful as I run a business and must keep workers safe. The safety of my family and friends is also important.

The protection of individual rights and freedoms is important — of my staff, family, friends, neighbors and strangers.

And there is always going to be conflict with differing viewpoints and sides to an argument. In the case of pandemic lockdowns, those who demand protections and those who demand freedoms.

Experience has shown unless there is a willingness to meet and discuss rationally there can be no resolution.

Demands for freedom and action that included protests and blockades, though well-intentioned, have been laced with language of wanting to be heard, but come with non-negotiable demands. Being expressed was a “willingness to negotiate,” yet little compassion for the rights of others being freely trampled upon.

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All good intentions and governance are for naught if all voices are not heard. All sides must be heard, but that means we must listen and compromises must be accepted on all sides.

Recently, police had the difficult task of clearing Huron Church Road of protesters. Police were calm and measured in their approach. They held the balance between both sides and cleared public space meant for all.

It was necessary as the protests were loud and belligerent, without consideration for the rights of others — the same rights they demanded for themselves.

If you want to be heard come to the table and have meaningful dialogue. You must listen without preconception and do not make demands. When we fail to accept this and try to force ideas upon others we are no better than tyrants and dictators.

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So, let us reveal in our governance model, freedoms we have and show respect for others. We are not enemies.

All sides need to stand up for our governance model, even if we disapprove. When we fail to protect the central tenants of our governance model, from which flows our freedoms in society, we will surely lose them.

Albert SchepersWindsor

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