NEWS An issue society should examine • Continued from page 20 public. "If residents are upset, it's usually because when they contact me about something, they are often at their wit's end because they've tried everything else to no avail," she said. "These situations can be de-escalated by being em- pathetic and working to find solutions, and usually after we work through the issue, residents are more positive," she continued. "I am more concerned about the inappropriate treatment from political colleagues because we are in positions of leadership and set a tone for what is acceptable." Meed Ward said she's experienced both "generic" and gender-based bullying, including one instance where a member of a mu nicipal board she sits on was told she uses "sexual tactics" to get things done. The local councillor not ed she encourages people not to stay silent when they see others mistreated and credited her colleague Coun. John Taylor for speaking up privately and publicly against the bully ing she says she's received from other political col leagues. "But I've learned that be ing silent simply allows in appropriate behaviour to continue.. Bullying affects us all, not just the person bullied. It needs to stop and we all have a role in model ling a higher standard of re spectful debate," she added. Halton MPP Indira Nai- doo-Harris said she doesn't feel she's been attacked personally, but admitted she's encountered tweets and social media posts that are critical and an attack from a position of party pol itics. "Those are the things I don't even look at. I'm not interested in them. So, there are things out there that can be conceived as be ing negative," she said. "I don't see them as be ing personally directed at me but at the same time, I tend not to pay too much at tention to things like that because I'm more focused on my work and on that kind of unfair bullying and harassment." Naidoo-Harris did note, however, that bullying di rected at women in politics is something we need to ex amine as a society and work collectively against. McMahon said people can disagree with each oth er politically without re sorting to personal attacks and it saddens her when some take to social media to voice their aggressions, turning it into a mecha nism for hatred. "I've always felt. attract ing good people to public life is critical for a thriving democracy and I think it makes it harder to attract good people to this profes sion, especially young women, when you have that kind of dialogue," she added. "... All of us have a re sponsibility to set that tone and speak to each other with respect." 1276 Cornwall Road, Unit C, Oakville Ontario, L6J 7W5 T:9 0 5 -8 4 5 -0 7 6 7 • F:905-845 -5552 • www.haxelllaw.com • lawyers@haxelllaw.com Jameson Glas Buying? Selling? Re-financing? Call us fo r a q u o te at 9 0 5 - 8 4 5 -0 7 6 7 e x t. 2 2 3 P ersonal Pkof&SSlona£ Seh/uce a t C m peM fe PateS | HAXELL LAW AUGUST 8 IS A CULINARY ENCOUNTER THAT IS TRULY UNIQUE. 2017 Diamon^ ^ H ALL Y O U C A N EAI 1 Award Winner for Best Sushi! LUNCH OR DINNER A LLYO U C A N EAT ULTIMATE DINING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER. OUR MODERN FUSION CUISINE Enjoy the many appetizing dishes from the teppanyaki grill and Dim sum menu, or relish in the fresh sushi & sashimi. Each dish provides deep and rich flavours while providing an allure for more.The fusion of flavours from 2 very distinctive cuisines will surely provide diners with an exquisite meal. $2.00 i OFF LUNCH ONLY1 Dine-in, cash only & with this voucher. Offer valid at Oakville Location only. Limit 1 voucher per table. not valid on weekends and holidays $5.00 i OFF DINNER ONLY i1 Dine-in, cash only & with this voucher. Offer valid at Oakville Location only. Limit 1 voucher per table. notvalid on weekends and holidays 280 North Service Road W.@ Dorval Oakville 905-338-6228 www.august8.ca Call us for reservations CM | O akville Beaver | Thursday, February 22, 2018 insidehalton.com http://www.haxelllaw.com mailto:lawyers@haxelllaw.com http://www.august8.ca Buying? Selling? Re-financing? 905-845-0767 ext. 223 | HAXELL LAW AUGUST 8 IS A CULINARY ENCOUNTER THAT IS TRULY UNIQUE. ALLYOU CAN EAT ULTIMATE DINING EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER. OUR MODERN FUSION CUISINE 280 North Service Road W.@ Dorval Oakville 905-338-6228 www.august8.ca Call us for reservations