Roberts, Sorbara and Coyne in conversation about crisis

Andrew Coyne is one of Canada’s most esteemed political thinkers. You may recognize his name from his contributions to The National Post, Maclean’s, The Globe and Mail, or the Walrus, or recognize him from a weekly panel on CBC’s The National.

He will join us as part of the County Library Authors Festival on Friday, April 17 at 7 p.ma. at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Picton to discuss his new book, The Crisis of Canadian Democracy. As he describes it, “the book dismantles the myths Canadians tell themselves about their political system, revealing a parliamentary structure eroded by unaccountable leaders, disempowered MPs, manipulated elections and systemic dysfunction.”

The County Library Authors Festival Committee was tasked with a moderator for the talk and we were delighted when Councillor Bill Roberts not only agreed, but brought Greg Sobara into to the conversation as well.

Bill Roberts is more than suited for the task of moderating the conversation – he served as Constitutional Adviser to two Canadian Premiers in Alberta and Saskatchewan, worked as President and CEO of VisionTV, and as Senior Director General of TV Ontario, Secretary General of the North American Broadcasters Association and much more. His leadership extends into education as a guest professor at Osgoode Hall Law School and York University.

His work closer to home includes as Municipal Councillor and he sits on the boards of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health/South East Ontario Public Health and the Prince Edward County Police Services Board, and is also a Special Advisor at Canadian Armed Forces Base CFB Trenton, 8 Wing RCAF. He is actively involved in local food security and affordable housing efforts, including with the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

Greg Sorbara will also be part of the conversation, bringing his own extensive personal experience in politics including as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario , described by York University as a champion of “postsecondary education as a catalyst for social and economic growth, as well as a driver of community building.

His landmark second budget as Minister of Finance in 2005 featured the bold plan to invest significantly in increasing accessibility for low-income students while funding more enrollments and expanded faculty, graduate scholarships and research.” Locally he is well-known for his work revitalizing the iconic Royal Hotel on Main Street in Picton.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these three in what is sure to be a thoughtful conversation as Bill Roberts, Greg Sorbara and Andrew Coyne come together in conversation about The Crisis of Canadian Democracy – $20 tickets now available at any branch of the library and peclibrary.org/festival. Tickets for the annual County Reads debate and author talks by Dr. Brian Goldman and Marianne Ackerman also available.