The value of free inquiry is the very reason for universities, and it’s the foundation of free and democratic societies
Free speech is under siege on many university campuses, including in Canada. Professors, administrators and students are ‘deplatforming’ invited guests, or disrupting and disparaging their fellow academics who fail to toe the politically correct party line. With precious little evidence, these speakers are said to be “sexist,” “racist” or “Islamophobic.” So closed-minded enforcers, just like…
We need to get to the roots of problems with Indigenous communities and stop casting blame where it doesn't belong
Maclean’s magazine once declared Winnipeg as “Canada’s most racist city.” Now it’s Thunder Bay’s turn. Thunder Bay is in turmoil after a report slammed its overstretched police force (if not the entire city) for alleged “systemic racism” towards its Indigenous population. Meanwhile, Thompson, Man., deals with Indigenous men filling its courts to overflow while Saskatoon…
We’re behaving as though absolutely nothing we do today will cause future generations to look back at us as backward, insensitive and brutish
There’s a certain myopic moral indignation in the criticism of prominent public figures for having painted their faces, dressed inappropriately, or said or done things in the past that we find offensive today. It’s understandable, for example, that many are offended and disappointed in the conduct of Justin Trudeau. These feelings are justified and important.…
What will it say about our country if Trudeau is re-elected after this latest scandal?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has experienced one of the most controversial, bizarre and mind-numbing episodes in Canadian political history. It’s damaged his public image and tarnished his reputation. On Sept. 18, Time magazine released a 2001 photo from a school yearbook that showed Trudeau in brownface. He was a 29-year-old teacher at West Point Grey…
The photographs won’t influence whether I vote for the Liberal in my riding. I have four years of government actions – and inactions – on which to base my decision
Justin Trudeau caused a stir when photos and videos were revealed of him darkening his face to pretend to be characters of other ethnicities. But there are far broader issues to consider in this scandal. Green Party leader Elizabeth May stated, “I am deeply shocked by the racism shown in the photograph (from 2001) of…
Maybe Trudeau should have dressed up as a clown at that party in 2001. It would have suited him better
Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s defining accomplishment as prime minister was the creation of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Regardless of the politics surrounding the creation of the document, it embodies Canadian democracy in the highest form. The senior Trudeau’s intention was to create a “just society” – a term that was his trademark during the…
An unexpected weather report predicts that gale-force umbrage will pelt the prime minister’s ‘sunny ways’ parade all the way to Parliament Hill
Pick any synonym for gob-smacked and you will probably find it on the crib sheet of adjectives commentators across Canada now enlist to describe Justin Trudeau’s decision to wear blackface in public at least twice in his privileged, white-man’s life. But, in the Maritimes, where the federal Liberal Party enjoys only the slimmest margin of…
“What do you make of brown-face-gate?” I asked my friend over coffee. The conversation took place the morning after Time magazine broke the story that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, before entering politics, had shaded his face brown to impersonate an Arabic genie at a costume party. My friend, who is an Indigenous writer, made a…
There is a lot of intense chatter about just how many votes Justin Trudeau’s “brown face” and “black face” photos will cost his Liberal party in the upcoming federal election. Those discussions, while interesting for pundits, seem almost beside the point. The point, actually, is the cost on his stature with Canadians, with the world…
There’s more than enough good in this world for everyone and every person has the potential for greatness
A study of history exposes many mistakes mankind has made. But we also see many great successes. What creates this difference? At the core of each person, there are guiding principles. We innately know that love, kindness, humility, truth and compassion are paramount, and our ability to embrace these ideals impacts the direction of the…
Free speech is under siege on many university campuses, including in Canada. Professors, administrators and students are ‘deplatforming’ invited guests, or disrupting and disparaging their fellow academics who fail to toe the politically correct party line. With precious little evidence, these speakers are said to be “sexist,” “racist” or “Islamophobic.” So closed-minded enforcers, just like…
