Ode to Louis Riel

Another Louis Riel Day has come and gone, marking the fifth anniversary since its inception, and throughout the province nary a satisfying word was spoken of Mr. Riel. There was little in the way of a tribute covering the life and times of Louis in the media. There was little awareness of Louis’ numerous contributions to Canadian history in our schools and even less at the universities. There were no great speeches by government officials recognizing Louis’ vast influence to our Canadian identity. I even watched the Winnipeg Jets game on Sunday night hoping to see a modicum of attention for this Canadian icon.  But I was disappointed.

Louis Riel was not only a leader to the Métis people but a central figure in Canadian history. He is the Father of Manitoba and one of the original architects of multiculturalism in Canada. He negotiated Manitoba into the confederation on the basis of religious and cultural freedom and with terms to protect Indian Title to land throughout the Province. He envisioned a Canada where the dispossessed from across the world could come to start fresh in a place that flourishes on diversity. Like many Aboriginal leaders before and after him, he fought fearlessly against all odds and with every ounce of his life to carve out a space in this country for marginalized people to pursue their own unique identities.

Mr. Riel’s story has been an essential apparatus in shaping the Canadian conscience, a tool for advancing our critical thinking, and a window for our personal self-reflection. His legacy opens up public debate about Aboriginal and linguistic rights, about the significance of diversity and about the very nature of our unique character as Canadians. Every Canadian in this country owes Louis Riel a debt of gratitude. At the very least, we could acknowledge his tremendous influence on Canadian history on a day named in his honour. Yet there is a disturbing paucity of knowledge about a man that is by far the most written about person in Canadian history. Louis Riel Day should be about bringing all Manitobans together to learn about the history of this province, raising awareness of Riel’s contributions to the Canadian identity, and acknowledging the significance of diversity for all Canadians.

Louis Riel is a hero that still wears a traitor’s noose. It is time for the government of Canada to finally profess his innocence, to recognize that few other Canadians in our history have sacrificed as much as Riel in the name of a better, more inclusive Canada. Riel’s voice will echo for generations to come. Sooner or later, it will overpower an antiquated government, which will one day wake up on the wrong side of history. Louis Riel Day should be an impetus for the awakening.

Stephen Harper Hates Us for Our Freedom

It used to anger me that the conservatives narcissistically changed the official name of the federal government to the Harper Government.  Now I am pretty sure that it is quite appropriate.  While they may be our current majority government, it should now be disturbingly clear they could care less about the majority of Canadians. By scrapping the per-vote subsidy vital to opposition parties, pushing government committees behind close doors, sanctioning shady free trade deals with China and Europe, and proroguing parliament not once but twice (this is just the shortlist), the conservatives have abused their power time and again to recklessly obliterate any semblance of a Canadian democracy.

Now with their most recent act in their campaign against the Canadian citizenry, the ‘Harper Government’ strikes again, taking a drastic stride toward the dissolution of our rights to privacy. Under the delicate disguise of a “protecting children from internet predators act,” the conservative government is proposing to introduce measures that will allow the police and intelligence communities to access personal communications online. The bill proposes a “backdoor” for these agencies into the personal, electronic lives of Canadians via your telecommunication company.

Suspiciously, the word child does not even appear throughout the entire document. It seems quite clear that this title is nothing more than a surreptitious appeal to the emotions of Canadians. “If you do not support this bill, you stand with child pornographers” is the brilliant argument of schoolyard bully and Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. How can you reason with someone that stoops to this insidious misuse of logic? “Oh, you piece of shit” comes to mind.

The invasion of privacy act was strangely absent from the conservative agenda during election time.  Now, not even one year into a majority, the conservatives are showing Canadians the damage they can do when they have full reign over Parliament.  This bill demonstrates the utter contempt this government has for Canadians and our basic human rights.

If there was ever a time to email your MP, this would be a good one.