Thank you for raising your voice as a citizen and member of the Conservative against the draconian measures forced on the people of Toronto during the G20 summit. Our provincial Liberals and federal Conservatives need to be held accountable for violating the fundamental rights guaranteed to us under the Charter. Please continue to speak with those calling for a public inquiry. Being Conservative shouldn’t be synonymous with the blatant violation of our basic human rights and without an inquiry, that is certainly what we will be left to think.
I would like to commend you on your defense of our basic democratic freedoms. Although I disagree with virtually everthing the protesters believe, I would defend their right of assembly and free speech. It’s about time an elected official defended freedom. You and your buddy Bill Murdoch make me proud to be a rural Ontarian. The G20 affair was a shameful blot on our nations history.
I came across your op-ed in today’s Toronto Star, and it prompted me to read a few of the articles on your website. I can’t say I know much about you or your political platform, other than what I’ve gathered from your website, but you do give me some hope.
Thank you for standing up and being a voice for some important issues that too many Ontarians, and Canadians for that matter, let slide right under their noses. Hopefully, some of the defunct politicians running this province will have their ears perks up more often at your comments.
Although I do not support the values of the Conservative Party either provincial or federally, I must commend you for the having the guts to speak out about the unbelievable charter abuses that Canadian citizens endured in Toronto during the G20 meeting. You are the ONLY politician, at any level of government that I have heard publicly condemned what happened.
Even though you are a Conservative, you have my admiration and I thoroughly support your point of view. My charter rights are more important than ANY conference or visiting dignitary. Thank you for supporting them.
Eloquently argued, and clear as to the issues involved. This is not a partisan issue, but one that goes to the heart of democratic principles, and the values that underlie this great country.
Thank you for your reasoned contribution to justifying an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the G20 weekend.
I want to thank and congratulate you for speaking the truth in your piece “G20 crackdown reeks of tyranny.” I documented some of the disregard for our civil liberties that weekend for torontoist.com. I myself was subject to intimidation and misuse of power by the police. I am so glad that you have chosen to speak out on this issue. I watched a recent debate at Toronto City Council about the G20, and it was obvious that those elected officials did not have the courage to speak on behalf of constituents whose rights were violated and ignored.
I urge you to continue your call for a public inquiry into political decisions taken before the G20. The events of that weekend in Toronto constituted some of the most shameful abuses of power in Canadian history. The public deserves an explanation and accountability. Thanks for standing with us.
Please accept my commendations for your accurate and insightful article in today’s Toronto Star. Mr McGuinty’s actions were an affront to democracy and must be condemned. Thank you very much for doing so. I certainly won’t be voting for Mr. McGuinty’s party again.
Excellent op ed…I agree the implications for civil liberties are broader than just for Toronto; these violations set precedent for all of Canada. I’ve emailed article to all my friends and hope the calls for a national public inquiry amplify.
By the way, I’m not conservative, but you are right on.
Thankyou for writing and sharing your insights into the recent G20 events in Toronto. You have succinctly outlined the issues of those days. As one of the babyboomer generation I was shocked and dismayed at the police actions taken. I admire our youth and celebrate the fact that they care enough to research ideas, form opinion and protest their vision of canada’s civil freedoms and human rights. I can only hope that they will take up the cause for their generation. Today’s leaders have let us and them down. Howevr, I do applaude those like yourself who have the courage to voice their opinion and fight for rights in in calm and persuasive manner. Thank you.
I was very happy and delighted to read your opinion piece on the G20 and the suspension of civil liberties during the G20 in the Toronto Star today. Even though, I do not reside in your ridding, we definitely need more MPP’s like yourself who can intelligently differentiate that security and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive. I was dis-heartened when I read the PC leader, Tim Hudak’s opinion piece in the Toronto Sun blaming “special interest” groups for questioning the violation of civil liberties during the times of peace. However, your article today has put my mind at easy, as it exactly enumerates what most Ontarians and Torontonians feel, that we can have law and order and we can fundamental rights co-exist side by side and we cannot justify the suspension of civil liberties because of a few hooligans.
Randy
Thanks for speaking up!
It is a dangerous trend for politicians to consider gross violations of civil liberties as necessary law and order.
Canada is not supposed to be a police state!
Thanks again,
Alex
Thank you so much for your support of civil liberties now under attack due to the actions of two of the highest so-called representatives of the people in our land–P.M. Stephen Harper and Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Your article G20 crackdown reeks of tyranny is a wake-up call for those lulled into thinking that the outrageous actions of governmental leaders and the police, military and security forces under their command during the G20 have nothing to do with them.
G20 “security” represents a very slippery slide away from democracy in Canada and especially in Ontario.
A full independent public enquiry is absolutely necessary to shore up the civil liberties we though were guaranteed in our democracy.
G20 was quite an event. Interesting editorial. I’m very glad the G8 and not the G20 was in my beloved Muskoka. It was a fun event for many!
Reply to this comment
Thank you for raising your voice as a citizen and member of the Conservative against the draconian measures forced on the people of Toronto during the G20 summit. Our provincial Liberals and federal Conservatives need to be held accountable for violating the fundamental rights guaranteed to us under the Charter. Please continue to speak with those calling for a public inquiry. Being Conservative shouldn’t be synonymous with the blatant violation of our basic human rights and without an inquiry, that is certainly what we will be left to think.
Reply to this comment
Thank you for being one of the very few politicians to tell the truth about the G20 policing fiasco.
I am shocked by the recent Decima Poll that only 20% of Canadian’s believe that the level of policing was inappropriate.
As you pointed out, this is not the real
Reply to this comment
I would like to commend you on your defense of our basic democratic freedoms. Although I disagree with virtually everthing the protesters believe, I would defend their right of assembly and free speech. It’s about time an elected official defended freedom. You and your buddy Bill Murdoch make me proud to be a rural Ontarian. The G20 affair was a shameful blot on our nations history.
Reply to this comment
I came across your op-ed in today’s Toronto Star, and it prompted me to read a few of the articles on your website. I can’t say I know much about you or your political platform, other than what I’ve gathered from your website, but you do give me some hope.
Thank you for standing up and being a voice for some important issues that too many Ontarians, and Canadians for that matter, let slide right under their noses. Hopefully, some of the defunct politicians running this province will have their ears perks up more often at your comments.
best,
David
Reply to this comment
Although I do not support the values of the Conservative Party either provincial or federally, I must commend you for the having the guts to speak out about the unbelievable charter abuses that Canadian citizens endured in Toronto during the G20 meeting. You are the ONLY politician, at any level of government that I have heard publicly condemned what happened.
Even though you are a Conservative, you have my admiration and I thoroughly support your point of view. My charter rights are more important than ANY conference or visiting dignitary. Thank you for supporting them.
M. Josef
Reply to this comment
Eloquently argued, and clear as to the issues involved. This is not a partisan issue, but one that goes to the heart of democratic principles, and the values that underlie this great country.
Thank you for your reasoned contribution to justifying an independent public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the G20 weekend.
Reply to this comment
I want to thank and congratulate you for speaking the truth in your piece “G20 crackdown reeks of tyranny.” I documented some of the disregard for our civil liberties that weekend for torontoist.com. I myself was subject to intimidation and misuse of power by the police. I am so glad that you have chosen to speak out on this issue. I watched a recent debate at Toronto City Council about the G20, and it was obvious that those elected officials did not have the courage to speak on behalf of constituents whose rights were violated and ignored.
I urge you to continue your call for a public inquiry into political decisions taken before the G20. The events of that weekend in Toronto constituted some of the most shameful abuses of power in Canadian history. The public deserves an explanation and accountability. Thanks for standing with us.
~Desmond
Reply to this comment
Please accept my commendations for your accurate and insightful article in today’s Toronto Star. Mr McGuinty’s actions were an affront to democracy and must be condemned. Thank you very much for doing so. I certainly won’t be voting for Mr. McGuinty’s party again.
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Great job on your article in the Star opinion section Randy, I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Peter
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THANK YOU FOR THIS:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/torontog20summit/article/834320–opinion-g20-crackdown-reeks-of-tyranny
If I lived in your riding you’d have my vote for the rest of my life. Why don’t you run for the PMO?
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Excellent op ed…I agree the implications for civil liberties are broader than just for Toronto; these violations set precedent for all of Canada. I’ve emailed article to all my friends and hope the calls for a national public inquiry amplify.
By the way, I’m not conservative, but you are right on.
Thanks and Regards,
Gabriela
Reply to this comment
Thankyou for writing and sharing your insights into the recent G20 events in Toronto. You have succinctly outlined the issues of those days. As one of the babyboomer generation I was shocked and dismayed at the police actions taken. I admire our youth and celebrate the fact that they care enough to research ideas, form opinion and protest their vision of canada’s civil freedoms and human rights. I can only hope that they will take up the cause for their generation. Today’s leaders have let us and them down. Howevr, I do applaude those like yourself who have the courage to voice their opinion and fight for rights in in calm and persuasive manner. Thank you.
Reply to this comment
Magnificient piece Randy! Very well written.
Thank you so much for expressing the views of the meek and powerless against the repressers!
Outstanding work Randy!
Reply to this comment
I was very happy and delighted to read your opinion piece on the G20 and the suspension of civil liberties during the G20 in the Toronto Star today. Even though, I do not reside in your ridding, we definitely need more MPP’s like yourself who can intelligently differentiate that security and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive. I was dis-heartened when I read the PC leader, Tim Hudak’s opinion piece in the Toronto Sun blaming “special interest” groups for questioning the violation of civil liberties during the times of peace. However, your article today has put my mind at easy, as it exactly enumerates what most Ontarians and Torontonians feel, that we can have law and order and we can fundamental rights co-exist side by side and we cannot justify the suspension of civil liberties because of a few hooligans.
Thank you for your opinion piece.
Regards
Ajay
Reply to this comment
Thank you for your brilliant Op-Ed in today’s Toronto Star.
I have reprinted it on my blog, with a note about your party, here:
http://wmtc.blogspot.com/2010/07/mpp-randy-hillier-stalin-and-mao-would.html
Thank you and all best.
Laura
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Randy
Thanks for speaking up!
It is a dangerous trend for politicians to consider gross violations of civil liberties as necessary law and order.
Canada is not supposed to be a police state!
Thanks again,
Alex
Reply to this comment
Thank you so much for your support of civil liberties now under attack due to the actions of two of the highest so-called representatives of the people in our land–P.M. Stephen Harper and Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Your article G20 crackdown reeks of tyranny is a wake-up call for those lulled into thinking that the outrageous actions of governmental leaders and the police, military and security forces under their command during the G20 have nothing to do with them.
G20 “security” represents a very slippery slide away from democracy in Canada and especially in Ontario.
A full independent public enquiry is absolutely necessary to shore up the civil liberties we though were guaranteed in our democracy.
Many, many thanks!
Keep up the good work!
Marjorie
Reply to this comment