Re: “City family panel expected outcry over removal,” Aug. 16.
All clear-thinking Victorians were highly suspicious about the process resulting in the rushed removal of the Sir John A. Macdonald statue in front of city hall. Now the interview with Janice Simcoe, a member of the “city family” panel, has confirmed that the decision was made quickly to avoid the delay, deliberation and debate associated with a proper consultation process.
In other words, the process was designed to move so quickly that Macdonald was unceremoniously removed to a warehouse before there could be deliberation, consultation and the sharing of views by the citizens of Victoria. City council followed along meekly like sheep with but one dissenting voice and some subsequent useless handwringing.
And now citizens are supposed to be consulted after the fact about what to do with the statue? Whether you agree or disagree with the decision to remove the statue, the process orchestrated by Mayor Lisa Helps and condoned by city council constitutes an affront to democratic principles and values and creates unnecessary division in our community.
Jim Casey
Victoria
