An Open Letter to the Media from Warren Thomas Re: Respecting the Speaker of the Legislature

TORONTO, April 24, 2013 /CNW/ -

To: Media in and around Electoral District of Brant (Brantford, Hamilton, Cambridge, Kitchener)

Date:  April 24, 2013

Dear Editor/News Director:

Re: Respecting the Speaker of the Legislature

After three decades as a labour leader, I've seen and heard a lot of things. I've taken on governments of every political stripe, especially when they forget that they are elected by Ontarians to serve the people. 

In my extensive travels across this great province I have met and spoken with folks from all three political parties. My experience tells me there are people who get into politics to help themselves and there are people who become elected leaders to help others.

Brant MPP, Dave Levac got in to help others. He has the record to show it. He is and has been a constituency politician who works tirelessly to get things done. Yet despite this, media reports indicate that the Conservatives are attacking his record and credibility as an MPP and Speaker of the Legislature. 

Let me be clear. My union is not affiliated to any political party. I count as friendly associates, representatives and supporters from all three major parties. I must admit though that my Tory acquaintances have been reduced to those who recount and yearn for the good old days when their party built the province rather than worked to tear it apart. Unfortunately, with their current leadership, the latter has become the rule. 

So when I heard that the Conservatives were going negative on Dave Levac because he had the audacity to have been elected to Speaker of the House, I felt compelled to set the record straight.

I have never seen a political party stoop to denouncing an MPP because their position as Speaker calls for neutrality and civility. We could use a little more of these attributes, don't you think? The fact that Levac can keep the House in order on a daily basis, given the level of animosity within those chamber walls, is a testament to his ability and skill. 

So, should we head into an election, I ask you to ignore the angry and destructive attacks of a PC party that has lost its way, and to remember that sometimes good guys do win. Dave Levac is one of the good guys.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas
OPSEU President

SOURCE: OPSEU

OPSEU
100 Lesmill Road
North York, Ontario
M3B 3P8
416 443-8888