Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: We don’t always agree with our mothers, but we don’t doubt their motives

May 8, 2020 | 11:32 AM

THE METAPHOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AS A FAMILY is one that extends beyond the surface. And Dr. Bonnie Henry is clearly our mother in that metaphor.

Rather than responding to this crisis as a stern taskmaster or aloof and uncaring, she has responded with empathy and faithful consistency — stereotypically maternal instincts.

This week, as the province laid out its path to normalcy, Henry was reluctant to lay out hard and fast rules and schedules, saying everyone’s circumstances are unique and forcing the entire population into a rigid rubric wasn’t something she was willing to do.

Instead, she emphasized general principles such as cleanliness, physical distancing and compassion.

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Henry said she would rely on subsets of the economy — industry associations and recreational organizations — to determine their own rules based on those principles.

A very mom thing to do.

“As long as you smart and you love each other, go ahead.”

Critics have reacted to Dr. Henry’s direction the same way they might react to their mother’s.

Either they are looking for more clear direction, knowing children thrive best when they have an understood structure, or they are grating against any rules like rebellious teenagers.

It’s either, “please tell me what to do” or “you can’t tell me what to do.”

Even Henry’s catchphrase — “Be kind, be calm and stay safe” — is exactly what a mother might tell a youngster before getting on the bus to school – or might tell a teenager before a Saturday night out with friends.

Weeks ago, when B.C.’s pandemic response kicked into high gear, we discussed Dr. Bonnie Henry’s leadership style in this space.

Since then, she has been nothing if not consistent in her leadership, even if there are legitimate reasons to question certain decisions, directions and lack of direction.

In a public health emergency such as this one, the provincial health officer is essentially given B.C.’s top job. The government’s response must run through Dr. Henry.

She hasn’t made everyone happy with what she has said, but maybe she’s not trying to keep us happy; she’s trying to keep us safe.

This Sunday, we should all call our mothers — regardless of if we sometimes find ourselves second-guessing their parenting decisions.

For most of us, we still love them and owe much of who we are to them.

So maybe we should give Dr. Bonnie Henry an appreciation email on Sunday, too.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.