(Un)Civil Society

Welcome to a special live edition of Municipal Affairs.

I’m your host, Christopher Brown, and Today, we turn our attention to a topic that many in public service know all too well—but far too few are openly discussing. Across boardrooms, council chambers, and community halls, a troubling shift has been unfolding. The treatment of elected and appointed officials, staff, and even members of the public has deteriorated. Respect is no longer assumed. Civility is no longer guaranteed.

What was once spirited debate is increasingly being replaced by toxic polarization. Public servants—those who step forward to serve their communities—now often face online harassment, verbal abuse, and sometimes even threats. And behind every incident is a person: a councillor, a CAO, a librarian, a volunteer—each with their own story, each affected in unique and deeply personal ways.

Ian McCormack has seen this transformation firsthand. With years of experience working with local governments, school boards, and non-profits across Canada and beyond, he’s witnessed the erosion of basic decency in governance. But he also believes that we are not powerless in the face of this crisis.

His new book, (Un)Civil Society, explores the rise of incivility in the public sphere—not just to diagnose the problem, but to offer hope.

Stay with us.

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Purchase the Book Today:

https://www.municipalworld.com/product/uncivil-society-countering-gaslighting-stalking-and-other-forms-of-abuse-ian-mccormack/

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