What started as a kind gesture of encouragement for people struggling with addiction has turned into a social-media firestorm against a Barrie city councillor.
But Coun. Natalie Harris says she's determined to not let it get her down.
“Being a paramedic for many years, I saw a lot of negativity and sadness in the world, but deep down I’m optimistic," she told BarrieToday. "I had hope that, generally speaking, a positive project would only bring positive remarks, but that’s not the reality of this world, especially on social media."
Earlier this month, Harris decided to spearhead the Addiction Get-Well Cards initiative locally, getting people to join in making get-well cards for people struggling with addictions. She paid for all the materials out of her own pocket and got to work asking business owners, dignitaries, schools and employers to join in and make some cards, which she hand-delivers to the local Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (RAAM) Clinic in Barrie.
So far, more than 100 hand-made cards have been delivered.
“We know Barrie is battling an opioid crisis. Council is trying to do a lot of big things, but that takes time and behind-the-scenes work,” said Harris.
On Tuesday night, Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin hosted a card-making meet-up at her constituency office.
Innisfil Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson, Coun. Gary Harvey and some local business owners also attended.
When talk turned to the online backlash, everyone around the table shared their methods for dealing with social-media toxicity.
“I just don’t read comments,” said Khanjin.
“Just block them,” Davidson added.
Some of the criticism levelled at Harris regarding the cards includes her voting against the safe consumption site issue in favour of getting more information before making a final decision.
She said some of the online backlash to the cards was respectful, but many comments were outright abusive.
“There are so many layers that went into the vote with the (SCS),” said Harris. “There are things that are being reviewed right now that will eventually become public, but it’s just not the time right now. I was hoping this wouldn’t be in that light.
“The way I see it is, how is this hurting?” she said. “They keep saying I’m not being transparent if I’m not talking about all the things happening with the SCS. That’s not the case at all. If you’re part of a corporation, there is a time and a place for certain things to be divulged. And it will, but it’s not yet.”
Harris says the topic is one many people in Barrie feel passionately about, so she understands the thinking behind lashing out.
“The opioid crisis and addiction affects people’s lives. I am so sympathetic and empathetic to that,” she said.
Harris shared that her cousin died recently from a fentanyl overdose and she recently spoke at his funeral.
“It affects everyone. So I’m trying to keep an open mind and be as compassionate as I can, but then there’s a line where it affects me personally because I am sensitive, no matter how much I try to have thick skin,” she said.
Harris said if constituents had concerns, she wishes they would email her or attend a town-hall event instead of throwing barbs through social media.
“They’re calling me the ‘arts and crafts councillor,’ which I’m fine with if that’s what they want to say,” she said with a laugh. “I’m disappointed because if people had questions, I wish they’d reach out to me personally and I could explain it to them as much as I can.
“Being a city councillor is my passion, and if I’m going to make cards in the downtime I have, I don’t think that’s bad,” she added.
Harris shared a story she was told by a RAAM employee about a person in their care who received a card of encouragement from Mayor Jeff Lehman.
“He opened the card and read it... the patient was just overwhelmed with happiness,” Harris said. “That kindness will now have a ripple effect.”
Monday marked her 42nd birthday, but Harris said she spent most of it dealing with online abuse.
“It was a hard day, I’m not going to lie,” said Harris.
As the card-making gathering ended last night, Khanjin brought out a birthday cake and Harvey brought out flowers for Harris, to her shock, surprise and tears.
“We know you’ve been having a hard time this week,” said Khanjin. “Happy birthday.”
Harris said the initiative is gaining steam. Next week, Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard has invited Harris to Ottawa to make cards with MPs from multiple parties together at Parliament Hill.
“It’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and hopefully it will be something the MPs will bring back to their own provinces and go from there. I’m hoping,” said Harris.
