Editorial — Council’s participation doesn’t make facilitation right

September 23, 2015 · 0 Comments

One of the great disadvantages with being elected to office is one is occasionally obliged to set aside what their guts tell them is right in the interest of the greater good.
Caledon councillors demonstrated that last week when they agreed to take part in facilitation over land-use issues in Bolton.
But let us be clear on one key point. There is very little of a positive nature to be gained by facilitation, and the Town is still pursuing legal action to get it quashed, as very well it should.
Land use planning matters in the Town of Caledon should be administered at Town Hall in Caledon East, by competent staff working for the Town and adjudicated by a group of councillors duly installed by the electorate. True, Caledon’s planning documents have to be complied with, and there has to be some conformity with those at Peel Region, meaning Regional councillors from outside Caledon have to have some input. But common sense should tell everyone that there have to be limits imposed, as well as respect shown for those charged with the tasks in Caledon.
Were Caledon’s reps at the Regional council table to try and apply muscle to overriding planning matters in Mississauga, there would be proverbial hell to pay. We thought Councillor Nick deBoer was rather eloquent last week on the matter — “There would be a pretty good glow in the sky, I would think.”
But in terms of practicality, a majority of Regional councillors opted for facilitation (exactly why is open to speculation). Whether Caledon reps approve or no, Caledon issues were forced to the table, meaning a Caledon contingent is obligated to be there. If nothing else, it’s their job.
But as we stated above, it’s good that council is not dropping its legal fight against facilitation, and it’s even better that councillors are being up front about it. The last thing anyone needs is for the councillors from Mississauga and Brampton who have been pushing for this to get the idea that Caledon has surrendered. Such is not the case.
The councillors from Caledon have been solid in their opposition to facilitation. The five of them got up and left the Council Chambers in June as it was about to be rammed down their throats. There are some who might call such a move petulant. We call it standing up for the people who elected them. When their backs are forced to the wall, Caledon residents expect their councillors to fight for them.
That’s what they should keep right on doing.