OPINION: Those Who Want Plebiscites Must Respect Them First

"If you want a plebiscite, respect the results of all plebiscites - even the ones you disagree with."

Over the past year, we've repeatedly heard calls from the Calgary City Council to hold a vote on housing rezoning. “Calgarians need to be heard” and “Calgarians need to have a say in this” are phrases often used to justify these proposed plebiscites.

I would wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment if it weren't for the glaring hypocrisy that follows: the councillors who vociferously champion the need for public votes are the ones who, when faced with results they dislike, vote against the people's decision.

In 2021, Calgarians made their voices heard, voting 61.61 percent in favour of reintroducing fluoride into the water system. Some might argue that this isn't a clear majority, but in a democratic process, a win is a win. The people went to the polls and unequivocally expressed their desire for fluoride reintroduction. Every single - again I want to say it for those who didn't read that, EVERY SINGLE - ward voted in favour of the reintroduction, with the lowest support coming from Ward 10, where 53 percent of voters endorsed the measure.

Despite this clear mandate, one of the first motions for the new council was to ratify this vote, and it was suspiciously opposed.

Two councillors, Andre Chabot of Ward 10 and Dan McLean of Ward 13, voted against the motion to reinstate fluoride. It seems particularly questionable that these councillors would go against the will of the majority of their constituents—the very people who elected them.

This contradiction is even more perplexing considering McLean's advocacy for a city-wide vote on the proposed citywide blanket rezoning back in March 2024. That plebiscite motion was defeated.

Councilors Sonya Sharp, Terry Wong, Andre Chabot, Sean Chu, and Peter Demong were all part of the push for a rezoning plebiscite. It should be noted that Sharp, Wong, Chu, and Demong respected the fluoride vote.

Chabot and McLean, on the other hand, do not have the same credibility.

You cannot selectively respect plebiscite results based on personal preference. Democracy is not about convenience; it’s about honouring the collective voice, even when it contradicts your views.

Consider the case of Westlock, Alberta. In January, voters narrowly decided—51 percent to 49 percent—to ban Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on municipal property. While I strongly disagree with the outcome, the town council respected the will of the voters and enacted the bylaw. The councillors understood that in a democracy, the side with the most votes wins, and the other side must accept the result gracefully.

This respect for the democratic process is essential, even when the outcomes are uncomfortable or controversial.

Returning to Calgary, the councillors who shout the loudest about respecting the voices of the people must practice what they preach. They should reconsider their initial vote against fluoride, acknowledge their error, and apologize for opposing a democratically held referendum.

Until they do so, their calls for new plebiscites will be seen as mere theatrics.

As the old saying goes, “Those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” For this matter, those who demand plebiscites should first respect the outcomes of past plebiscites. If you are unwilling to accept the people's vote and insist on another vote, your stance becomes untenable. You are then merely putting on a political performance reminiscent of Tim Robbins in "Bob Roberts."

To quote former honorary US Mayor Will Rogers, “You have to take a referendum to see what your convictions are for that day.” If your conviction is to hold a referendum or plebiscite on an issue, then your convictions must also include upholding the results of all plebiscites already voted on. Failing to do so leaves you standing atop a soapbox with no one listening.

The integrity of our democratic processes hinges on the consistent respect of their outcomes. Politicians who cherry-pick which plebiscites to honour undermine the very foundation of democracy. This selective adherence to democratic results erodes public trust and weakens future plebiscites' legitimacy. As elected representatives, councillors must honour the will of the people, regardless of personal bias or preference.

Therefore, Calgary's councillors must reflect on their roles and responsibilities. If they truly believe in the power of plebiscites, they must demonstrate unwavering respect for the decisions made by the electorate.

Only then can they genuinely claim to uphold the principles of democracy and the voices of Calgarians. Anything less is not just hypocrisy; it is a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the very people they are meant to serve.