The recent appointment of Charles Adler to the Canadian Senate has ignited a firestorm of controversy in Manitoba, with Indigenous leaders and a Liberal cabinet minister expressing strong opposition to the decision.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) has called on Governor General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to rescind Adler’s appointment, citing “grossly offensive” comments the broadcaster made about Indigenous communities 25 years ago.
In 1999, Adler referred to Indigenous leaders as “uncivilized boneheads” and “intellectually moribund” during his radio show on Winnipeg’s CJOB.
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In an interview with CBC News, AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said, “It’s a great insult to First Nations people and a blatant disregard for the principle of respect of equality and reconciliation that Canada claims to uphold.” The AMC argues that Adler’s past comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about First Nations.
“It is obvious that Canada and the prime minister have turned a blind eye to these offensive views when making this appointment to the Senate,” the AMC wrote in a statement.
Adding to the controversy, Dan Vandal, the sole Manitoba member of Trudeau’s cabinet, criticized the appointment, stating, “There are many eminently qualified Manitobans who are better suited to represent our province than Charles Adler.”
The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council had previously dismissed a complaint about Adler’s comments in 2000, deeming them “fair political commentary.” However, the AMC maintains that the remarks were not limited to political leaders but referred to First Nations people broadly.
Adler, reached for comment, agreed with Vandal’s assessment that there are likely more qualified individuals in Manitoba for the Senate position.
“Theoretically, without seeing all these names he must be thinking of, if he says that there are people in Manitoba more qualified than yours truly to be in the Senate, he’s probably right,” he said.
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