Canada PoliticsOntario police union takes unprecedented step of producing political attack ads
We all know that the labour movement is proactively campaigning against Tim Hudak's Progressive Conservatives in the Ontario election.
But this is a little odd.
On Tuesday, the Ontario Provincial Police Association put out a press release explaining why, for the first time in the organization's history, they've produced political attack ads.
"A Tim Hudak led government would launch a direct assault on the Collective Agreements of Police Associations right across the Province. His positions on arbitration, public sector pensions and further wage freezes, among others issues, are unacceptable to our members who put their lives on the line for their communities every day,"Jim Christie, President of the OPPA, said in a statement.
"Let me be clear. These ads do not serve as an endorsement for the Liberals or the NDP. This also does not mean that we don’t respect and work well with many in the Conservative caucus. We just don’t want this Conservative as Premier.
"There is no room for the divisive "Tea Party" style politics that Mr. Hudak would bring to Ontario. From what we have seen during his past as Leader of the Opposition through to the illogical present day promise to fire one hundred thousand people to try and create one million jobs, it is clear that Mr. Hudak subscribes to the far right wing teachings that have led to chaos in the "Right to Work" states south of the border."
The two ads were initially put on YouTube and the OPPA website but were taken off by late afternoon. Yahoo Canada News has asked the OPPA about why they were removed. As of press time, we have not received a response.
The ads are scheduled to appear on television between June 2nd and June 10th.
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The fact that a police union is choosing to engage in an election campaign, however, should raise some concerns.
On Sun News, Marissa Semkiw articulates the point brilliantly — wondering why this isn't a serious conflict of interest.
"It's unprecedented in provincial elections. To be clear there are two ongoing police investigations into the Ontario Liberals right now. And yet those investigators are part of the unions. Yes they're the rank and file. They may not be the union bosses. But there is a clear conflict of interest here in my opinion. And perhaps those guys should recluse themselves of the OPP investigation into the Ornge scandal. Of the OPP investigation into the 24 wiped hard drives."
Certainly, if individual police officers want to campaign — as a civilian — on behalf of a candidate or a party, that's fair. But is this appropriate?
[ Related: Ontario’s unions advocate for strategic voting to defeat Tim Hudak ]
For their part the association says that police associations have been political and politically active for decades.
"We contribute to campaigns for all three parties, Jim Christie, President of the OPPA told CBC News' Evan Solomon.
"I attend fundraisers, I support local candidates. I supported the three main parties. That's part of the political activity that a police association takes part in. We lobby every year. We try to assist in getting legislation through the provincial legislature.
"It's naive to believe that we're not politically active."
What do you think?
Should a police union get involved in a political election campaign to such an extent?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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