Stop Using “special interest” as a political smokescreen

Letter to provincial media from NS Federation of Labour President Danny Cavanagh-When politicians like Premier Houston refer to “special interest groups,” it’s nothing more than a convenient distraction, a distraction that right-wing politicians have used for decades to divert attention from the real issues. There has never been a more powerful special interest group than big business and corporate elites, who many believe have had the government’s ear 24/7. Workers, unions, environmental advocates, and aboriginal and community organizations don’t get that kind of access, yet they are the ones dismissed as “special interest” whenever they speak up for fairness.

This kind of rhetoric is insulting. It suggests that working people and their advocates are somehow outsiders to the democratic process when they are the backbone of our society. The idea that only certain voices, usually those of corporations and industry lobbyists, deserve to be heard while others are labelled as “special interests” is a tactic to maintain the status quo. It allows governments to ignore pressing concerns about wages, working conditions, healthcare, housing, and the environment while catering to those who already hold the most power.

It’s time for elected officials to govern for all of us, which means treating everyone equally, ensuring all groups have a seat at the table, and recognizing that democracy is about representing the public, not just those with the deepest pockets. Unions, small businesses, regional organizations, and environmental groups all play vital roles in shaping our communities. Dismissing them as “special interests” is an outdated, lazy excuse for not engaging in meaningful dialogue.

Governments must stop using tired political buzzwords to try to silence those who challenge them. When working people organize to fight for better wages, safer workplaces, and public services, that’s not a special interest; that’s democracy in action. When communities come together to demand climate action, better healthcare, or affordable housing, that’s not a special interest; that’s people advocating for a better future.

Our Premier and all elected officials need to rise above these distractions and do the hard work of governing for everyone. That means engaging with all stakeholders in good faith, not just those with the most money and influence. We can do better, and as taxpayers, we must demand better.