Politicians, accountability and the festival circuit

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/03/2024 (593 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are several events on the social calendar that are popular with politicians, but few as pertinent as the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair in Brandon.

Billed as a “Spring Break Tradition” for over 115 years, it is the place to see and be seen during the upcoming week off from the legislature for MLAs. Attendance may not be mandatory, or even feel relevant to those representing constituencies far from the Provincial Exhibition in the heart of Brandon, but for politicians not wanting to risk unflattering statements being made about their commitment to the people they serve, you can bet they’re heading west next week.

Unfairly or not, I’ve witnessed more than a few elected officials being criticized for not making an appearance at the annual winter fair, or other important events like the Trapper’s Festival in The Pas, the Morden Corn and Apple Festival, and Folklorama, to name a few.

Missing one or two may be considered OK, but if there’s a noticeable pattern of non-attendance, you can rest assured that a gossip mill will ensue, saying your heart is no longer in the job and that you’ve got other places you’d rather be. The public at large can spot a government that’s run out of steam when its caucus members are no longer tripping over themselves at these events, and sending that message is a surefire way of facing consequences next time you go to the polls.

But attending the winter fair and other community festivals is more than just keeping up appearances.

These events offer the best opportunities to meet with constituents and hear from stakeholders.

It’s how I learned first-hand that, for example, rural non-profits were struggling to keep up with accessibility requirements and needed a dedicated funding stream, or that a youth program in Thompson was achieving great outcomes but in need of government support, or that a housing situation in Carman needed rectifying.

Conversely, it takes less than a nanosecond to realize when your government policy is off kilter after showing up at these events with a listening ear. Sure, reading a briefing note, receiving an email or petition, or being grilled about an issue in Question Period can make you aware, but it can never take the place of hearing first-hand about the lives impacted by government policy.

Making effective decisions, learning people’s priorities, and spending their tax dollars demands this level of engagement. It makes chatting with everyday folks at a community event an integral part of the job, lending itself to better decision making in the chamber or advancing initiatives within a caucus.

It’s why I’m always surprised when I meet elected officials or someone eager to put their name on a ballot who doesn’t like attending public events. Of course, it’s not the only pertinent thing in the life of a politician; lots of important work gets done behind closed doors and out of the public eye. Yet it’s easy to forget who you’re working for when you’re not making yourself accessible on a regular basis.

That’s because not everyone in the public has the means or ability to make it down to the Legislature to present at committee hearings or participate in a petition or letter-writing campaign. Running into a minister or MLA may be their only means of having their voice heard. It’s the ultimate spoke in the wheel of democracy.

Access to our elected leaders, having our voices heard, and the ability to show an out-of-touch government the door (once to my own chagrin) is what makes our community unique in a world that is seemingly going in an opposite direction.

As civil unrest gathers steam in other jurisdictions around the globe and, sadly, in places not too far from home, we see once-accessible leaders take to safety behind closed doors and cancel appearances at public events. When this happens, distrust settles in. A lack of accountability begins to increase the gap between those who make the decisions and those most affected, until neither can see the other side.

Guarding against this from happening is fundamental to maintaining the things we hold dear in society.

So if you’re heading out to the Brandon Winter Fair during spring break, or taking part in a community event and see your local MLA, member of Parliament, or municipal leader, breathe a sigh of relief and know our version of democracy is alive and well here in Manitoba.

Rochelle Squires is a recovering politician after serving 7 1/2 years in the Manitoba legislature. She is a political and social commentator whose column appears Tuesdays.rochelle@rochellesquires.ca