Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Let’s make 2024 ‘The Year of Being Open to Compromise’

Dec 15, 2023 | 12:30 PM

I’M DECLARING 2023 ‘The Year of Being Dug In.’

So many of the main conflicts of this past year were made worse because of how entrenched the combatants were.

The greatest example of two parties being entrenched is the Israelis and the Palestinians. For generations, it’s been the irresistible force battling the immovable object.

There is ideological entrenchment locally, too.

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This week, council discussed whether to ask the province for a third party review of B.C. Housing-funded facilities in Kamloops, such as shelters and social housing units.

Calling for a review was one of Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s primary campaign promises and you could argue it was one of the main reasons he garnered support in last fall’s election.

Most councillors this week felt the government’s rejection of such a review a little over two years ago was sufficient.

That’s in spite of a new housing minister and several other communities in B.C. receiving similar reviews.

Councillors argued a review of these agencies would not be constructive and might antagonize potential partners.

If any review needs to be done, they asserted, it should be done on the institutions actually responsible for the problems, specifically health and justice, not the ones trying to help.

That sets the context for the debate — and what a debate it was.

Hamer-Jackson staunchly defended the request for a review, while each councillor seemingly came forward with reasons not to push any harder.

Council conceded only to communicate it would welcome a review if it is offered, but will not ask.

There are good points on both sides of this debate, but it didn’t appear any of them were being heard.

As has happened many times already in this term, the mayor said one thing, the rest of council said another, and never the twain did they meet.

They dug in and did not move.

This is a position either side could have conceded ground on and still saved face. It didn’t happen. It probably won’t happen for the remainder of this term.

In this case, the council side has the numbers, so it has less incentive to give an inch.

Opening oneself to being convinced is a virtue. It shows people can learn and grow and compromise. It shows people can put their egos aside and truly listen.

In life, no one person or ideology has cornered the market on the truth and it would help all of us to think about being open to compromise in 2024.

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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 Pattison Media.