By Rev. Chris Brouillard-Coyle
ON JANUARY 21, the Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde gently and courageously asked the newly inaugurated president of the United States to have mercy on marginalized populations who may be fearful as a result of the implications of policies signed by the administration. Her words were widely recognized as an authentic embodiment of the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As we cast our votes to select those who will make choices on our behalf through the Provincial Government, this presents an interesting opportunity for us to reflect on who needs to be shown mercy. Who are the individuals so impacted by Provincial legislation that it can make a difference in their well-being? To what extent are the needs of these individuals considered in the electoral and legislative processes? What role does our faith play in how we engage with the Provincial Government?
The Provincial Government has responsibility for the most economically vulnerable individuals through Ontario Works (OW), Disability (ODSP), and decisions about minimum wage. This means that the Provincial Government can decide the extent to which thousands if not millions of individuals in this Province can afford the basic necessities of life. Alongside the one in four children in Windsor who are food insecure are parents who are receiving OW, ODSP, and/or are working for minimum wage. Provincial decisions can impact the well-being of individuals and families. Lord, have mercy.
There are also vulnerable populations who have completely fallen through the cracks and have found themselves without housing. Some have found community and mutual support through encampments. Unfortunately, these are deemed unsightly by individuals who have never experienced the depths of this vulnerability.
The Provincial Government has the power to determine how these encampments are handled. They can decide whether or not these individuals are treated with dignity. They can prioritize addressing the root problem – namely a lack of affordable housing or choose to criminalize those who are vulnerable. Lord, have mercy.
The Provincial Government has responsibility for education. Children spend some six hours a day in schools which not only support their education but also provide resources for their overall well-being. A well-educated population is also extremely important for the future of any community. Decisions about content, context, staffing, buildings, and every other aspect influencing the education system have implications not only for children today, but also for our future as a province. Lord, have mercy.
The Provincial Government has responsibility for health care. We all need to access the health care system. We know those things that frustrate, the struggles with understaffing that can lead to excessive wait times and/or missed diagnosis because staff are rushed and flustered. We may recognize how stressful it can be to try to deal with underfunding, changes in priorities, and politics. We know this can impact the well-being of staff and patients. Lord, have mercy.
There are also those whose health is impacted by addictions. This is as much a health condition as any other and yet, the choices of the Provincial Government can frame those fighting addictions as criminals who don’t deserve the same dignity as other health care needs. Lord, have mercy.
The Provincial Government is responsible for some infrastructure projects that have implications for those who travel and the environment. What is the priority? Populations need to move from one place to another. Climate change is also real and has implications for the long-term well-being of this province. Lord, have mercy.
Of course, while Bishop Budde directed some of her remarks directly to the president, as with all good sermons, we know that all those who have ears should hear. It is not only those who have political power who need to be called to have mercy. When we cast our votes, we too have the opportunity to act with mercy, to make a choice that seeks to honour the dignity of every human being. To those who may say there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State, I remind you, this doesn’t mean you leave your faith outside the voting booth. We carry our faith wherever we go. It should influence all of our choices, including at the polls.
As we cast our votes in this and future elections may we do so praying as Bishop Budde did not so long ago, “May God grant us the strength and courage to honour the dignity of every human being, to speak the truth to one another in love, and walk humbly with each other and our God, for the good of all people.” Amen.
Rev. Chris Brouillard-Coyle is a co-chair of SEJH.
chrisbrouillardcoyle@diohuron.org