Xanthippa's Chamberpot

This is an email sent by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s EA to Debbie Jodoin, one of the organizers of the Ottawa anti-Eco-Tax (Eco-fees) protests.  Not only was it sent to her, but also to all her co-workers and her employer…

From: Fraser_John <jfraser@liberal.ola.org>
To: Clarke, Rob – M.P.
Cc: Clarke, Rob – Assistant 1; Clarke, Rob – Assistant 2; Clarke, Rob – Assistant 3
Sent: Fri Aug 27 15:12:22 2010
Subject: Attention Debbie Jodoin – My apologies if anyone receives this email in error.

Ms. Jodoin ,
It has been brought to my attention that you are organizing a rally/protest outside our constituency office tomorrow. I think we can agree that free speech and the right to assemble are both a privilege and a cornerstone of our democracy. I am sending you this note to ensure you aware of the concerns of our neighbours.

As the organizer of the rally/protest I am sure that you have made arrangements to ensure a safe event for everyone involved. I do want to encourage you and the citizens participating in your rally/protest to have respect for our neighbours at the Kilborn Plaza. Our neighbours are small business owners who depend on parking and easy access for their customers, many of whom are seniors.

Out of respect for our neighbours, I would ask that you urge the participants to:

• Avoid using the parking directly in the lane directly in front of the store fronts. There is parking on the side and back of the mall that is easily accessed.
  
• Understand the mall’s businesses depend on a smooth flow on both the sidewalk and lane directly in front of the stores.
  
• Ensure that the entrances to the mall are not blocked so the mall’s customers can have easy access to parking.
  

Thank you in advance for your consideration.

John Fraser
Executive Assistant
Office of Dalton McGuinty, MPP

Yes, the official communication from Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty states, clearly and unequivocally – and expect us to agree – that:

I think we can agree that free speech and the right to assemble are both a privilege and a cornerstone of our democracy.

No, Mr. Fraser!

No, Mr. McGuinty!

WE WILL NEVER PERMIT YOU TO TREAT OUR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AS ‘PRIVILEGES’!