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Democracy means much more than voting

Democracy means much more than voting Open letter to Premier Darrell Pasloski: Although your government's decision to appeal the court ruling in the Peel case is not a complete surprise, one couldn't help but hope you just might recognize the expressed

Open letter to Premier Darrell Pasloski:

Although your government’s decision to appeal the court ruling in the Peel case is not a complete surprise, one couldn’t help but hope you just might recognize the expressed will of the people represented in the final recommended plan, and accept it.

Instead, you have chosen to disregard the majority of Yukoners, and represent the wishes of an ever-dwindling few. Even mining execs are expressing dismay at the uncertainty your decisions are creating.

I realize there is no point anymore in reiterating the tremendous benefits of preservation for the Peel. But you should realize there are very few jurisdictions left that have the capacity to make such a huge contribution, such a prescient investment to the economic security of our nation and the environment - and still maintain a thriving economy.

But we all know it is so much more than that now, Mr. Pasloski. It is all about democracy, and the process thereof, and your statement that “public government must have the last say” attests to that.

I know I am far from alone in my shock and dismay at the deception by your government concerning your true plan for the Peel while campaigning, and then, only after being elected on false pretenses to the security of your false majority, your revelation of that true plan.

I thought I knew how our political system worked, even with its inherent problem of the false majority. But until your government came along, never did I know the extent to which it could be misused.

I’ve since long pondered just what democracy really is. I’ve come to see the crucial importance of civil society to a healthy functioning democracy. That it is precisely citizenry actively engaged with their elected representatives in the governance of their jurisdiction that represents the true meaning of democracy: “Government in which power is invested in the people as a whole… exercised on their behalf by elected representatives.” Civil society is the voice of democracy.

I think it blatantly obvious that the decisions of your government on this matter do not in any way reflect my perception of these underlying principles of democracy. Your government has not lived up to the mandate of elected representation, and have instead dictatorially superseded the will of the people.

I would like to give you the chance to defend the actions of your government. I do not need to hear that “public government must have the last say.” What I would like to hear is where is my take on democracy, and the workings of civil society with elected representation wrong? Please tell me your interpretation of civil society, and how your government incorporates the will expressed through civil society in its decision making.

Your government is notorious for locking yourselves away behind the security of that false majority and not responding to question or critique. If you see yourself as a “public government,” then you should engage with the public. You know I am not alone in my concerns.

Jim Borisenko

Tagish Lake