Scapegoated, held to a higher standard, but proud: how visible-minority MPs feel about carrying the mantle of race
The face of Canada is changing, which has potential for the face of the country’s federal representatives to change as well. According to 2016 census data released last week by Statistics Canada, the percentage of Canadians who identify as a visible minority now sits at 22.3 per cent, up from 19.1 per cent in 2011. […]
‘Why don’t you go back to where you came from?’: what it’s like to be a visible-minority MP
“I rarely feel hurt.” Growing up in a predominantly white community, where a quarter of the small local Vietnamese population consists of her own family members, NDP MP Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Salaberry-Suroît, Que.) said she isn’t shaken by discriminatory or racist remarks levelled at her. “Yes, there were some bad comments, and ‘Go back to […]
No need for Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Ontario
In a Hill Times article from July 24, Soo Wong, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough-Agincourt, Ont., defended her bill to create a “Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day” in Ontario as a way of teaching Ontarians about “truth,” “injustice and promoting human rights.” In fact Bill 79, if enacted, would advocate for issues of conflict between […]
Locals, women most affected by corporate harm, least heard
Re: “House subcommittee hearings on mining in Latin America a public disservice,” (The Hill Times, Oct. 18, p. 15). Kairos too is alarmed that the voices of people affected by Canadian mining operations have not been heard during the current subcommittee hearings on human rights and mining in Latin America. Through tours to countries in […]
Abortion: an issue that won’t go away
OTTAWA—When I was 18, Dr. Henry Morgentaler opened an abortion clinic in Montreal, and for several years after was dragged through the courts repeatedly; each time he was acquitted. In order to raise awareness, stickers were distributed calling for the repeal of Section 251 of the Criminal Code, which dealt with abortion. Because I supported […]
Rachel Notley and Alberta’s female firsts
In celebrating Persons Day every year, Canada salutes five tenacious women from Alberta, the “Famous Five,” who 90 years ago insisted that women be regarded as persons. In 1927, after hitting a roadblock with Canada’s own justice system, they appealed to the highest court of the land, which at the time was the Judicial Committee […]
Weinstein story needs to move beyond egregious acts of a single predator
OTTAWA—The ignominious end to Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein has all of us in agreement. This predator got what he deserved. But the larger question remains. How did he get away with it for so long? How was he able to assault so many women with so much impunity? Why did so many people say nothing […]
It’s Canada’s time to tackle malnutrition and unlock girls’ potential
Girls all around the world have big dreams. They dream of being doctors, soccer players, and presidents. But for more than one billion women and girls, malnutrition is standing in their way. Proper nutrition is the first step to helping girls achieve their dreams. It is the critical ingredient every one of us needs to […]
NDP also opposed Harder as Status of Women Committee chair
Re: “Liberal walkout of Status of Women Committee bad form,” (The Hill Times, Oct. 4, p. 8). I heard on the CBC Radio program As It Happens MP Sheila Malcolmson said the New Democratic Party also opposed Rachael Harder becoming chair of the House of Commons Status of Women Committee. The NDP MP seemed to me to say her party deserved […]
Why Canada stands to lose its UN Security Council bid
OTTAWA—My father was no expert in political science, but he gave me some advice many years ago that stuck with me when I ran for office: “When someone tells you they are going to vote for you, they are probably fibbing. Knock on another 10 doors.” This wisdom stemmed from his loss in a workplace […]
