Maxime forgets an important chapter in Canadian history that creates the diversity we celebrate today.
Pseudo-libertarian Maxime Bernier made a stink during this last week. By railing against 'extreme PC and diversity', he woke up the crowd that also has a problem with diversity. This is music to the ears of those looking to replicate the Trump-style populism here in Canada, but its problematic as far as our own history.
This goes back a fair distance in time, but the legacy of multiculturalism and diversity was born out of the aftermath of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The 1759 battle settled the Anglo-France question in the colonies with the British Army vanquishing the French. Out of the Seven Years' War between the two global empires, Quebec was ceded to England. But in that acquisition, the french speaking, Catholic settlers of lower Canada were allowed to keep their civil code, laws and customs, language and religion.
The first patch was sewn into the mosaic of Canada, and its been that way ever since.
This may be an over simplification of matters, and doesn't speak to the genocidal treatment of the millions of first nations who had long settled this land before being "discovered" by European settlers. But the point missed by Maxime is that diversity *is* what Canada is.
At issue is the proposed creation of a national day of remembrance (a stat holiday) to commemorate the tragic legacy of the nation's aboriginal Residential School system. For reference, the last school closed as late as 1996 and is credited with the deaths of 6000 kids who lived within this system.
Maxime is taking on the position that since it happened so long ago (it didn't), that everyone should just get over it. Nobody would try to make that argument over the millions slaughtered at the hands of the fascists and Nazi's in Germany and Europe, why do we have to do that here?
Maxime Bernier's comments were a grotesque misfire that may have triggered a home-grown white-nationalist movement to come out into the open since it seems they've been granted legitimacy and political cover here.
Canada is a tolerant and diverse nation. We're not perfect, but that is a work in progress. We do not, however, need to lend that generosity to white supremacists and hate mongers here. We literally fought a war against them. They were the enemy then. They still are today.
My 2 bits
This goes back a fair distance in time, but the legacy of multiculturalism and diversity was born out of the aftermath of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. The 1759 battle settled the Anglo-France question in the colonies with the British Army vanquishing the French. Out of the Seven Years' War between the two global empires, Quebec was ceded to England. But in that acquisition, the french speaking, Catholic settlers of lower Canada were allowed to keep their civil code, laws and customs, language and religion.
The first patch was sewn into the mosaic of Canada, and its been that way ever since.
This may be an over simplification of matters, and doesn't speak to the genocidal treatment of the millions of first nations who had long settled this land before being "discovered" by European settlers. But the point missed by Maxime is that diversity *is* what Canada is.
At issue is the proposed creation of a national day of remembrance (a stat holiday) to commemorate the tragic legacy of the nation's aboriginal Residential School system. For reference, the last school closed as late as 1996 and is credited with the deaths of 6000 kids who lived within this system.
Maxime is taking on the position that since it happened so long ago (it didn't), that everyone should just get over it. Nobody would try to make that argument over the millions slaughtered at the hands of the fascists and Nazi's in Germany and Europe, why do we have to do that here?
Maxime Bernier's comments were a grotesque misfire that may have triggered a home-grown white-nationalist movement to come out into the open since it seems they've been granted legitimacy and political cover here.
Canada is a tolerant and diverse nation. We're not perfect, but that is a work in progress. We do not, however, need to lend that generosity to white supremacists and hate mongers here. We literally fought a war against them. They were the enemy then. They still are today.
My 2 bits
Comments
Post a Comment