On March 21, Sudbury.com published an article regarding the elimination of delivery fees for First Nations communities in Ontario.
Given that there are many reserves in remote and rural locations struggling with access to basic social services coupled with very high costs of living, the elimination of the delivery charge is a welcome change to many.
Rightfully so, however, many people disagree, and I do not blame them. Many people across Ontario are struggling to make ends meet as a result of rising hydro costs. Our government has prioritized playing politics over people, and Ontarians are angry.
The problem wasn't that people disagreed with this proposition; the problem is that many people, in their fits of Internet rage, felt it was necessary and appropriate to post disparaging comments hydro-related that are misinformed and inaccurate. Many comments show a clear lack of understanding of First Nations issues and a lack of empathy for the struggles that many First Nations' communities continue to face. Comments such as "it was 100 years ago, get over it" or insinuating that Indigenous people receive a plethora of "free handouts" ranging from free education, free housing, etc. are not even close to the truth.
One commenter boasted the "free housing" in Attawapiskat and suggested that people go claim their free houses. One individual suggested that if they can't afford to live (on the reserves) that they just move.
Having decided to take a stance in defence of First Nations people, I was subjected to insulting comments that had no bearing on the debate (apparently, it's perfectly fine to insult and degrade people as long as you do it online).
To be clear, I'm not offended by this (I actually found it quite entertaining). I was called a "libtard," a "liberal snowflake," and was told that people like me "retard development in this country."
While I am not insulted by this (hard to be insulted by something so pathetic and irrational), it's frustrating that we cannot sustain an intellectual debate over very important social issues.
I can fully understand why this policy change would upset people — delivery charges should be eliminated for everyone and hydro should be put back into public control. However, people who are upset should be able to fully articulate both why they disagree and (ideally) be able to propose alternative solutions.
Most of what I read reflected much of the deep-seated ignorance and institutional racism that continues to affect Indigenous people in Canada. I enjoy a healthy debate, but not when people resort to name calling — that's the kind of behavior reserved for rude children, not mature adults.
People have the right to be angry about Hydro issues, but they don't have the right to be ignorant about the facts and to insult people. Calling someone a “libtard” adds nothing to a debate; perpetuating myths and stereotypes about Indigenous people does nothing to validate your argument.