The improved economic growth in Ontario is commendable. The approximately 26,000 new jobs mostly full time jobs is commendable. The economy is doing well and expansion and new developments in Transit Services is a step in the right direction.
Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario must be commended for his belt tightening efforts. Cuts to education must be resisted. We need an educated populace and there seems to be a correlation between antisocial behaviour like gun and related crimes.
Gun Crimes
There has been a significant increase in gun related crimes in Ontario. More police are being recruited to tackle the crime issue. That is good but it putting bandaid to cure the cancer of gun and robberies etc. Respect for life and property rights cannot be ignored. It makes no sense trying to arrest away the problem. Social issues need to be studied and effective measures or sound intervention employed.
Profiling of Minorities
The youths are hungry and underemployed. We are of the view that additional training and the channeling of resources to assist with small business development plan may be the way to go. Focus on the youths who are filling the prisons.
Bail Act
We hear loud shouts to tackle the vexed issue of bail for suspects. Bail is not a privilege, it is a right that is enshrined in the Charter of Rights. It has been well established that a suspect is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a competent court of law. A suspect is not a convict. All are guilty until convicted or plead guilty to an offense. To deny someone their freedom is not acceptable when the evidence is shaky at best. Many such cases are dismissed or adjourned sine die. This could be never never … unless a lawyer etc brings it back to court for a decision to be made. So a suspect has suspicion hanging over their head until the case is disposed of one way or another.
Court Of Public Opinion
Youth Unemployment
The court of public opinion is not a recognized court. It is important as it is said that “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” That being so does not elevate this “court” to a legal level of an established court with judge and jury. Let us pay closer attention to the needs of the youths especially those who fall in the minority class. For example : Blacks, Hispanics and First Nation youths. Suicide and other ills are high in this segment in this society. They need jobs to establish their Independence and self-esteem. They have a lot to offer if we care to spend resources on them. (1) Train, train and do a lot more training. (2) Open more Second Chance Centres. (3) Establish more skills based centres. This rosey picture of improved sales and surplus as announced need to be redirected to assist the youth issue.
Perspective
Let us not continue to kick the can down the road. Crime is not doing the Canadian society any good. Let youths be employable as they are skilled trained. A hungry youth can be a crime prone person. Let Canada be the best place to live. This is not the poorest place to live. What is your perspective? This is ours.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior National Political Correspondent for GTA Weekly.
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