Despairs of 2013…Hopes for 2014

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From language laws to construction boondoggles, corruption to collusion, misfeasance to nonfeasance, 2013 has been a dizzying year of disappointment and despair. But as citizens we have a responsibility to understand it. All the elements, not just the headlines, Why it happened, what happened and who made it so. It is also important for us as journalists, as your advocates, to make sure you have an understanding of the real facts behind the ten-point headlines. And most importantly, through an informed citizenry, how we can channel hope and create redemptive change in 2014. 

In this issue our writers have created the best one-stop shop for acquiring what you need to know, not just what you want to hear. This is an exceptional work and you need to read it. It may not soothe you on every page, but it will challenge you. And it will embolden you by giving you the ammunition you need to have to demand better of your elected officials. The only surety of our liberty is an informed citizenry. We have a duty to marshal your resolve through truth. You have a duty to act on it.

We are not just rehashing the problems of the past year in this special edition. We are also pointing the way to hopeful hallmarks in the year to come. But do not comfort yourselves only with the hopes. Know that when you read of the despairing issues that have plagued us in the past year, you can affect change because you are now armed with facts.

I think you will find that our problems really have simple solutions. Politicians like to make them complicated to confuse the public and get themselves re-elected. So here are a few of my ideas to our municipal and provincial leaders.

Ethics and transparency? Inform the people of your decisions and make it easy for them to talk back. Montreal as an international city attracting world business? Stop the culture and language wars and make a tax free zone downtown for tourists. Transport? Build a highway and rail link parallel to the 20 through Turcot. Economic development? Cut social engineering and nanny state programs and reduce the size of government. And give the savings back in lowered taxes to Montrealers, particularly the small business people who create 80% of our jobs. Urban planning? Develop air rights and stop the empty talk of ‘sustainable development’ in a city with a third of our households below the poverty line. Governance? Talk straight to the people. They are not stupid. Just tired.

Have a great read!