Plante Should Say She’s Sorry: CRERAR

Not since Ariel Troster’s Lipstickgate has an Ottawa city councillor generated so much controversy in the media as Rideau-Vanier Councillor Stephanie Plante has this past week.

So far during her first term in office, Plante has managed to operate pretty much under the radar. Well councillor, welcome to the limelight.

As many have noted, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides everyone in Canada with freedom of expression. We are very fortunate to be living in Canada while a number of countries are being added to the list of those denying their citizens these privileges.

What the charter does not specifically note is the old adage: It’s not what you say, but how you say it. Most of us learn this lesson at a young age from our parents or in elementary school. Maybe Plante was never introduced to these words.

Writing posts for The Bulldog has provided me the opportunity to express personal views while improving my writing skills. While the experience has been fulfilling, many people will not agree with my opinions and sometimes respond negatively to my commentaries. Every Sunday morning when I get out of bed, I don my thickest skin and remind myself that author Kurt Vonnegut would have likely handled unexpected comments by simply noting: “So it goes”.

But Plante’s situation is different from mine. She is paid to do her job and, as a representative of her community, the councillor is expected to act professionally.

A politician’s No. 1 job, for themselves anyway, is to get re-elected. In the 2022 municipal election, nine contestants ran in Rideau-Vanier ward. Plante won the seat by the scantest of margins, 323 votes. Any smart opponent in next year’s municipal election will take advantage of the current controversy surrounding Plante and use it to their advantage (who knows, maybe a cartoon with a clever caption and funny figure might appear on telephone poles in ward 12). Recent events could impact her chances of winning Rideau-Vanier ward again next November. Or maybe the fallout surrounding her controversy will lead to a landslide victory.

In the meantime a mea culpa in the form of a public apology would likely benefit Plante. It certainly couldn’t hurt.

For You:

Cullen Analyzes The Plante Vote At Council

Hey City Staff, You Forgot $36 Million: BENN

City Hall Is Part Of The Problem: WHOPPER WATCH

How Your Councillor Voted On Plante Issue

Council Caused Plante Controversy: BENN

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