Rights & Freedoms We Take for Granted

It was saddened yesterday to discover some newcomers to Ajax live in fear of offending municipal authorities and are completely unaware of their rights and privileges as Canadians.

To wit: An election sign was removed unilaterally by an overzealous bylaw enforcement officer from the lawn of one my supporters. She called me and asked to have the sign replaced. I asked why she didn’t call Town Hall to have it returned. She said she didn’t want to get into trouble or create a situation with authorities.

Later, a similar situation arose where one of my opponents - or someone on his/her behalf - had placed a campaign sign on the lawn of one of my supporters. Through an interpreter, I learned that the homeowner was fearful of drawing attention to themselves from municipal officials and decided not to call Town authorities.

I reminded the homeowners this is Canada.  We do not have an authoritarian regime in power and that we have a constitution that protects their rights from governmental abuse of power.  We also have freedom of speech & expression and are protected by the Charter of Rights.

Those rights that we as Canadians take for granted are ‘virgin territory’ for some newcomers.  The Town of Ajax provides services for newcomers in partnership with the Region through the Community Development Council Durham (CDCD).

CDCD can be reached by telephone at 905-686-2661 and is located at

138 Commercial Avenue, Ajax, ON L1S 2H5

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If you know someone who is unfamiliar with their rights and privileges and has recently settled in Ajax, I would urge you to direct them to the CDCD to provide them with information that might bring some comfort and relief.

Canada, and Ajax, in particular, are thriving examples of a living democracy. No one need live in fear of government in our community.