CambridgeToday received the following Letter to the Editor from reader Melissa de la Haye in regards to Mayor Jan Liggett bringing Michael Shellenberger, an American political commentator, to speak at Cambridge's See Me, Hear Me summit.
Neighbours,
Our elected officials need to stop hiding behind free speech and ideology.
Ontario is in the midst of a growing mental health and addictions crisis. Families are desperate for solutions, and our cities and provinces have a responsibility to ensure evidence-based, compassionate, long-term care. But instead of championing real solutions, our mayor, Jan Liggett, has decided to bring in Michael Shellenberger, an American political commentator with no medical background, a well-documented history of misinformation, and views that directly contradict proven harm reduction strategies.
Mayor Liggett is using $10,000 in taxpayer money to amplify his voice, but the deeper issue is that this is part of a broader pattern by many elected officials, where ideology is disguised as research and personal political opinions are passed off as “free speech.”
Shellenberger is not a scientist, nor a mental health expert. His book San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities cherry-picks data to misrepresent harm reduction efforts while ignoring overwhelming scientific evidence. He advocates for forced institutionalization—a policy that history has shown only worsens outcomes for people struggling with mental illness and addiction.
His selection as the keynote speaker for Cambridge’s See Me, Hear Me summit is not about “listening to all perspectives.” It is about legitimizing harmful, ideologically driven policies under the guise of research. Defenders of Shellenberger’s invitation claim it’s about “free speech,” but free speech does not mean freedom from accountability.
Public money should not be used to give a platform to someone who spreads misinformation, dismisses established medical research, and promotes harmful policies under the guise of “common sense.” This event comes right after a Cambridge city councillor shared transphobic content online, yet the city leadership gives a stage to someone who calls for the withdrawal of medical treatment for transgender individuals.
This isn’t just about mental health. It’s about the dangerous trend of platforming anti-science, anti-trans, and deeply regressive ideologies under the false banner of open dialogue. Canadians stand for inclusion, evidence-based policy, and the dignity of all people. These values will not be undermined by those who disguise ideology as fact.
Mayor Liggett claims Shellenberger is just “one of 20 speakers.” Yet, as noted in the Waterloo Region Record, the city has not disclosed the full event budget or explained how much is typically spent on speakers.
Municipalities are subject to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and residents should have access to this information. Even city councillors, including Scott Hamilton, have openly stated that they were not consulted about this event.
It’s hard to ignore that the current housing crisis is exacerbating the struggles of those facing addiction and homelessness. Soaring rents and a severe lack of affordable housing are leaving many without a stable place to call home, making it harder for people to access the medical and mental health care they need. Yet, where are the speakers discussing this at Mayor Liggett’s summit? Why aren’t local experts, harm reduction workers, or people with lived experience being prioritized?
Access to medical care has become increasingly difficult, with wait times for specialized care growing longer and forcing people to fall through the cracks. Initiatives like the "In Our Backyard" program in our own city, which offers professional yard and garden maintenance services throughout the Waterloo Region, employing graduates of the shelter to provide meaningful employment and personal development opportunities. When we focus on long-term, community-based solutions, we offer people and their families the dignity and support they need to regain control over their lives. Where are these speakers at the summit?
The people of Cambridge—and Ontario—deserve real solutions, not political theatre. We deserve leadership that prioritizes expert-driven policy over personal ideological preferences. So Mayor Liggett, why is taxpayer money being used for this speaker? Why were elected city councillors left out of a summit to discuss issues that affect our entire city? Why prioritize a political commentator over local experts and community-driven solutions?
We Cambridge residents are not blind to the immense pain and destruction that substance abuse causes, both to individuals and families. We are also not blind to the complexities of homelessness. However, giving a platform to someone who suggests forcing people into treatment feels reminiscent of the destructive policies of settlers toward Indigenous peoples—displacing them, disregarding their autonomy, and imposing harmful systems that failed to protect their well-being.
Cambridge deserves better. Ontario deserves better.
Melissa de la Haye
Cambridge
