It’s tempting to think of recalling an MPP or other elected official when he deeply offends his constituents. But the PC MPP Randy Hillier (left) should put the idea away. He has a private member’s bill that would permit for such recall, although the details have not been very well explained in the media. Hillier is from the sedate cottage country of Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington in eastern Ontario. No doubt the refined folk down there would exercise temperate judgement about who and why they wanted to yank a politician out of office. Some might say there’s an argument to be made for removing the Premier. And, for different reasons, Mayor Ford too. But no. Experience tells us that it is possible to get the electorate whipped up to a recall pitch over the dog catcher’s bad taste in neckwear. Hillier’s bill requires signatures from only 25% of voters who cast a ballot in the previous election. How about a 60% threshold? In fact, Mr. Hillier has no chance of getting this showy bill enacted. At Queen Park there’s always a ready market for quick-fix legislation not too well thought through.
