Government Or Corporation? -Letter To The Editor

“Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power”
― Benito Mussolini

Canada has long had a reputation of being a prosperous, free and Democratic country and a beacon for people wanting that sort of thing. Canada is noted as a parliamentary democracy but also has the added feature or limitation, depending on how its viewed, of also being a constitutional monarchy in that it’s national, elected or governing, executive authority is vested formally in ‘The Crown’ which perpetuates colonial influence over Canadas self determination.

  A feature of most Democracies is the constitutional guarantee of fair representation by government at all levels to ensure that the best interests of all citizens are maintained throughout all regions and demographics. The people are to vote for government representation that they feel will support a free and prosperous Democratic society. An unpleasant reality of Canada’s Democratic process is that representational government is almost always offset by proportional representation which often guarantees that all provinces are not equally represented in parliament. It’s not a joke that most federal election outcomes are determined at the border between Manitoba and Ontario.

  At the municipal level, city council or management is typically formed by some electoral process to at least give the impression of representational government. General elections for the City of Airdrie are held every four years for the offices of Mayor and six city councilor positions. Together they are to be held responsible and accountable for establishing corporate policy and setting strategic priorities. Despite claims to the contrary, they are also engaging in programs that support other social programs and agendas that would best be served by representative government. Airdrie city councilors do not represent wards or constituents but their election is rather based on general, personal campaign initiatives. Whoever garners enough popular votes among whomever care to vote can win a job that pays $52,780 per year. The mayor, whose job it is to direct council activities pays $112,462. There may be additional compensation that might apply.

  It’s no secret that the City of Airdrie is a registered corporation having been incorporated since 1909. Incorporation allows the city to enter into contracts with private and public enterprise that would effectively support safe and efficient infrastructure – including emergency and health services – and heathy economic growth. The corporation is bound by all laws and civil rights charters that outline the rights and obligations of it’s executives and employees.

  There has been a recent trend for governments to establish relationships with entities known as ‘partners’ and ‘stakeholders’ that are to enhance best business practices and efficiencies with socially aware consideration. It is becoming clear that this partner and stakeholder network of influencers is made up by unelected, non-government agencies, organizations, and corporations such as UNESCO, THE RED CROSS, CARE, WORLD VISION that are operated as aid providers to the world during peace and war. There are also larger organizations, non-government and otherwise, and corporate entities that are having a greater impact on geopolitical, economic, and human society in general. These bodies would include the U.N., WHO, CDC, NIH, NATO, TIDES, OPEN SOCIETY, WE, and of course, THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION but perhaps the most powerful influence on shaping world affairs has been THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM whose director, Klause Schwab, has gone on record to claim that they have ‘penetrated’ a majority of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet. That Canada’s and other governments have been penetrated by any foreign, non-elected political and social influencer should be cause for alarm.

  Let’s look at what is becoming clear in our City of Airdrie. City council and mayor are elected officials but one should ask how their mandates, policies, and initiatives are determined as they go through the ceremonial process of conducting public business on our behalf. The answer might lie with other public employees and directors that work with elected officials either in view or behind the scene. We can’t overlook the role that THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER plays in determining the focus, decisions and outcomes of the city’s business.

  Horatio Galanti, the city of Airdrie’s newest Chief Administrative Officer,  replaces outgoing CAO Paul Schulz who served in this position for 25 years. The CAO oversees and no doubt influences policy and direction for all departments of administration and civic employees. It should be noted that the CAO is an appointed position and that city council and mayor make the appointment based on certain criteria deemed necessary for such a responsible position. Are there other criteria that should be examined when making such appointments?

 There is a trending movement in business practices that is being adopted by corporations, businesses of all sizes, and governments at all levels. Briefly, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) is a framework that is ‘penetrating’ business strategy that influences the needs and ways in which to generate value for all organizational ‘stakeholders’ which include employees, customers, suppliers, and financiers. Since 2020, there has been growing interest in overlaying ESG criteria and data with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), which is one of the pillars of the U.N. (United Nations) Agenda 21 and Agenda 30 which was initially drafted and signed as a non-binding agreement by at least 113 countries in 1992. The advent of ‘Stakeholder Capitalism’ plays a large part in common business practices and narratives.  

  SDGs and ESGs have been quietly integrated and publicized into business and governance mostly because their very titles describe a rather benign or socially and economically responsible method in serving humanity and saving the planet. But SDGs, ESGs, and ESG’s branch of SRI (Socially Responsible Investing), while offering potential benefits,  aren’t all sunshine, rainbows, and alternative energy. There are some drawbacks that need to be examined. Examining them does not fall into the realm of political or social alignment but begs transparency of good governance.  

  When socially responsible initiatives become the primary focus of business and government, there is a potential that the financial and socioeconomic elements of commerce and society could suffer. The problem is that the definition of the term ‘Socially Responsible’ is highly subjective. What constitutes social responsibility is not universal and we are already seeing instances where business is being hampered or restricted, based on political or religious ideology and personally held beliefs. Basic human rights have been affected and there is now greater potential for violation of our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. being violated. Cancel culture has taken hold under the auspices of SDG, ESG, and SRI guidelines that cancel contracts, close businesses and bank accounts, end careers and prevent commerce and investment. There are big questions that need to be asked and examined.

1) Who will define or determine the criteria which determines what constitutes  acceptable and socially responsible thoughts and actions?

2) Who will regulate or adjudicate the administration of the goal requirements as they are applied?

3) Are these goals to become laws to be legally enforced and or challenged?

  Getting back to our City of Airdrie and it’s governance and management, it has been published that our new appointed and unelected Chief Administrative Officer has been noted as a strong supporter of ESG. Can we ask if he is also an advocate for the related disciplines of SDG’s and SRI? Does he have ties with The World Economic Forum that we should know of? We should also ask how much of this commitment to certain pillars of UN Agenda 21 and Agenda 30 influences any policy or business conducted by the City of Airdrie and how these influences might shape the visions of a future Airdrie that are being projected.

We should talk about this.

Al Neitsch

Airdrie