Action4Canada - Lisa Robinson： Governments Must Remain Neutral Ensuring All People Are Equally Represented

In this episode, Councillor Lisa Robinson addresses a matter brought forward to the Integrity Commissioner regarding her alleged code of conduct regarding flying flags of special interest groups on government buildings in Pickering, Ontario. She argues that this flies in contravention of the City of Pickering's own policy regarding flag raising.

00:00:00.000 Today, I want to address an important issue that my fellow members of Council have brought

00:00:05.840 forward to the Integrity Commissioner regarding my alleged Code of Conduct because I believe that

00:00:11.440 we as elected officials and as the municipal government must remain neutral, impartial,

00:00:18.000 and serve the interests of all of our citizens irrespective of their affiliations or their

00:00:23.200 beliefs and for the fact that I believe in this state of neutrality. I attempted to bring forward

00:00:31.120 a viewpoint to Council for debate that represents the majority of constituents in Pickering,

00:00:37.600 that government institutions must remain neutral and unbiased by way of a notice of motion that

00:00:43.680 would no longer support flying flags of any kind of special interest groups and instead

00:00:50.160 only fly governmental flags and the veterans flag. Our Canadian flag is a symbol that brings together

00:00:57.840 people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs all under one national identity.

00:01:04.480 The Canadian flag represents us all. Only a few short months ago the town of Norwich debated their flag

00:01:12.000 policy and passed a resolution in support of only flying governmental flags on government buildings.

00:01:18.000 While it is essential to respect the diversity and freedom of expression within our society,

00:01:24.000 it is also the belief of many Ontarians that flying these flags on governmental buildings creates a

00:01:29.520 hierarchy and goes against the principles of equality and impartiality. Government buildings such as city halls,

00:01:37.440 schools, and libraries are meant to represent all citizens and promote the values of inclusivity and unity.

00:01:44.800 They serve as symbols of our collective identity and the principles upon which our nation is built.

00:01:51.600 By flying special interest group flags on these buildings, we risk creating a hierarchy to prioritize

00:01:56.800 a certain group over another, undermining the fundamental principles of equality and fairness that our society 0.53

00:02:04.000 has tried so hard to uphold. It is important to acknowledge that special interest groups play a vital role in

00:02:12.080 advocating for their causes and promoting social change. Their flags, symbols, and emblems represent their values,

00:02:19.600 their struggles, and their aspirations. However, it is crucial to also differentiate between the right to express

00:02:26.160 oneself and the responsibility of government institutions to remain neutral and unbiased.

00:02:31.680 When government buildings fly special interest group flags, it can send a message that certain causes

00:02:39.360 or groups are favored over others. This could lead to a sense of exclusion among those whose causes

00:02:48.320 are not represented, creating divisions within our society. It is vital that government institutions remain

00:02:56.960 impartial, ensuring that all citizens feel equally represented and valued. Moreover, the flying of

00:03:03.920 special interest group flags on government buildings can blur the lines between advocacy and the functions

00:03:09.760 of good governance. Governments are responsible for serving the interests of all citizens, irrespective of

00:03:16.880 their affiliations or their beliefs. By displaying specific flags, there is a risk of blurring these lines,

00:03:23.120 leading to questions about the government's ability to act in the best interests of all citizens,

00:03:28.400 regardless of their specific causes or affiliations. Furthermore, the flying of special interest group flags

00:03:35.600 can also give rise to perception of favoritism or preferential treatment. It is essential that government

00:03:42.880 institutions are seen as impartial and fair, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the law.

00:03:49.360 Displaying specific flags may create a perception that certain groups are given preferential treatment,

00:03:55.840 eroding public trust and confidence in government institutions. In conclusion, while it is crucial to

00:04:02.240 respect the rights and special interest groups to express themselves, it is equally important to maintain

00:04:07.840 the impartiality and equality of government institutions. Flying these flags on government buildings was

00:04:14.320 creating a hierarchy that favors certain causes over others, undermining the principles of fairness and

00:04:20.240 equality. In the Corporation of the City of Pickering's flag raising procedure under Section 4.01, it states that

00:04:28.960 requests for flag displays and flag raising ceremonies shall not be approved for matters of political

00:04:36.400 controversy or ideological beliefs. It also states that any matter is designed to incite hatred, discrimination,

00:04:46.000 or disorder that can also not be raised. In my opinion, we as a corporation in the City of Pickering are not

00:04:52.560 abiding by our own flag raising procedure and I believe that we can do better. I believe that we can become a

00:04:59.520 society where all citizens feel equally represented and valued under one flag. We are government institution

00:05:07.840 and we must remain neutral and unbiased. I'm Lisa Robinson, Pickering City Councillor,

00:05:14.640 and I'm truly grateful for your time and attention. Thank you and God bless.

00:05:29.520 You

Action4Canada - September 27, 2023

Lisa Robinson： Governments Must Remain Neutral Ensuring All People Are Equally Represented

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