Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 30, 2013, Winnipeg, Manitoba C M Y K PAGE A8 EDITORIALS WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, TUESDAY, JULY 30, 2013 Freedom of Trade Liberty of Religion Equality of Civil Rights A 8 COMMENT EDITOR: Gerald Flood 204- 697- 7269 gerald. flood@ freepress. mb. ca winnipegfreepress. com EDITORIAL I F the Canadian Museum for Human Rights presents the facts about Canada’s treatment of aboriginals, it will have done its job, whether or not the stories are labelled as genocide. The real question is what have Canadians learned from the past and what does the aboriginal experience tell us about human rights? The CMHR is not a genocide museum, even though a significant portion of its content will deal with the consequences of racism. Its goal is to educate and to motivate visitors to reflect on their attitudes and prejudices in the hope they will become better, more tolerant citizens. That doesn’t mean there aren’t legitimate concerns about the museum’s independence, but the genocide debate is probably not the best example of this challenge, nor the last. The problem with the word genocide is that its meaning is imprecise and even tainted by political interference. Under the UN’s legal definition, aboriginals have unquestionably been victims of genocide. Among other things, the UN says it is a crime of genocide to inflict “ mental harm” on a group “ in whole or in part.” Under this definition, it’s hard to imagine a group in society that was not the victim of genocide at some time in the past. The UN definition excludes political groups because, when it was written in 1948, the Soviet Union objected to including parties and unions because it had a history of imprisoning or murdering members of such organizations. Canada’s recognition of five genocides out of hundreds is also partly political. Why, for example, are the crimes in Bosnia in the 1990s included and the 1915 Armenian massacre, but not the slaughter in Cambodia or even the British treatment of the Irish, who lost their ancestral language as a result of centuries of oppression. The answer isn’t clear, but human rights lawyer David Matas has suggested its partly related to the squeaky- wheel syndrome. Which brings us to the aboriginal question. There is no doubt Canada’s First Nations people were victims of cultural genocide, even though the UN definition acknowledges no qualifications. There is only genocide, with no degree of separation between cultural and physical extermination. Many academics and aboriginals claim various federal policies were designed to kill aboriginals through starvation, disease, neglect or other means. This interpretation, however, requires more research and public education before anyone in government or the museum is going to declare an aboriginal genocide, a designation that could theoretically result in criminal prosecutions. The museum is approaching the complex issue in the right way, but its position has nevertheless raised widespread concerns about whether its approach is professional or politically motivated. There is ample precedent for worry. The Canadian War Museum, for example, bent to political pressure when it altered the words on a display about the Allied bombing offensive during the Second World War because veterans complained. The Canadian Science and Technology Museum was pressured by then heritage minister James Moore to take down an exhibit on the science of sex and sexuality, but the museum stood firm. The CMHR is dealing with much more controversial content, which will make it difficult for politicians to keep their noses out of it. The problem was recognized from the beginning, which is why a federal advisory committee recommended five years ago that the museum be governed independently from the government. In the end, there is no way to eliminate the risk of political interference, except to hope politicians will act appropriately, or be exposed when they do not. The museum, too, must stand its ground, or risk losing the confidence of the general public and, in particular, the groups whose stories will be at the centre of its work. Its success depends on maintaining a reputation for integrity, and doing the right thing, even when it puts noses out of joint. Disputing percentages Re: Have we turned Canada into a nation of freeloaders? ( July 29). My perusal of recent Manitoba income tax return data suggests a much different perspective than Roslyn Kunin’s conclusion that “ 58 per cent of us pay only five per cent of taxes.” Recent statistics indicate that in Manitoba non- taxable returns constitute only 32 per cent of all submitted returns, while on average those who submitted taxable returns pay out roughly 25 per cent of their incomes in taxes. In other words, nearly 70 per cent of Manitoba taxpayers add money to the national and provincial pots. Furthermore, virtually all citizens pay the PST, GST and ( directly or indirectly) property taxes. How do these data square with Kunin’s assertion that “ more than the bottom half of the population... contribute virtually nothing”? EDWIN BUETTNER Winnipeg Regulating marijuana Regarding your July 27 editorial Trudeau score s, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is to be commended for coming out strongly against marijuana prohibition. There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from the stigma of criminal records. What’s really needed is a regulated market with age controls. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. This gateway is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Marijuana is less harmful than legal alcohol. The plant has never been shown to cause an overdose death. It makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed marijuana policies that finance organized crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs. Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the children are more important than the message. ROBERT SHARPE Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D. C. Shameful track record Useless Braille in MP’s flyer ( SundayExtra, July 28). As a disability advocate, and constituent of Shelly Glover, I am very upset over the distribution of a flyer promoting the Harper government’s record of removing barriers for Canadians with disabilities. The federal government’s track record on disability issues has been shameful. For example, it has recently cut funding to national disability organizations, like the Council of Canadians with Disabilities. What jobs have been created? I see little evidence of jobs being created for persons with disabilities by the federal government. The back- slapping needs to stop. Glover’s flyer is not only insulting, it’s a misrepresentation of the facts. For a government that prides itself on being fiscally responsible, it's also a waste of taxpayers’ money. HARRY WOLBERT Winnipeg All creatures born free To those animal lovers who take a stand against animals used in circuses ( Misconceptions abound , Letters , July 26), good for you and bad for you. I hope you have and never will go horseback riding or own one of God’s beautiful creatures. They too were born free and not to be used by man. So, too, were your pet cats and dogs. All animals were born free. But it is up to us humans to put right the mishandling of all animals. Many circuses treat their animals very well. Many do not. Some horse owners ( as I am) treat their equine friends better than their human contacts. And some horses are treated horribly. Do not use the same brush to tar all circuses. Judge yourselves first, before casting your stones. JAMES TEMPLE Cooks Creek Transported to purgatory Congratulation to the organizers of Transit to and from the July 26 Bomber game. It was an enjoyable experience. Now if the coaches and upper management could do the same with what is happening on the field it would be a perfect season. I live in hope. MARGO MIDDLETON Winnipeg ¥ This is how the demise of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is accomplished: . Being a stingy and cheap organization that won’t spend money to acquire top athletes and trades away promising football players. . Constantly trying to convince the fans that they have discovered great talent in players that don’t make the cut. . Having a history of continued failure to put on the field a truly competitive team. . Having a revolving door of head coaches. . Building a stadium on a site that hinders fans from getting to and from the game. . Going into massive debt with a new stadium and put a poor product on the field. . Being an organization that honestly believes that Winnipeg football fans are foolish enough to spend good money supporting a team that constantly causes disappointment and frustration. KENNETH MILLER East St. Paul Servicing the public I am shocked to learn that the public service tried to keep the 2008 Altus Clayton study hidden ( Downtown ‘ quick fix’ panned , July 26). Who in the public service tried to keep this hidden and why? I always thought the public service was answerable to elected officials. Obviously not. Our councillors just voted themselves $ 40,000 to assist them running their offices, so they have no excuse to not know what is happening at city hall. Quit waiting for Bartley Kives to do part of your job. Get on the job or you will be looking for new work. JEAN DAVIDSON Winnipeg New trial welcomed Thank you, thank you, thank you to Manitoba Justice officials for seeking a new trial against Michael Blostein ( Crown seeks new trial in flag woman’s death, July 27). Now get Justice Doug Abra into some type of common- sense course, please. LAWRIE GOALEN Beausejour HAVE YOUR SAY: The Free Press welcomes letters from readers. Include the author’s name, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited. Letters to the Editor, 1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg, R2X 3B6. Fax 204- 697- 7412. Email letters@ freepress. mb. ca Letters represent the opinions of their writers and do not reflect the opinions of the Winnipeg Free Press or its staff. ¥ LETTER OF THE DAY A pretty, young, blond mother is suspected of taking the lives of her two children due to a mental illness ( Unimaginable tragedy worsen s, July 29). The public response is overwhelming sympathy. A middle- aged Asian immigrant takes the life of a stranger due to a mental illness. The public response is outrage, fear and vilification. Why such a difference in public perception and our responses? Mental illness is mental illness, no matter whom it strikes. GARY LOMBAERT Winnipeg Same cause, different response Stuffed animals are left at the memorial for the victims on Coleridge Park Drive. Museum’s burden is hefty A_ 08_ Jul- 30- 13_ FP_ 01. indd A8 7/ 29/ 13 6: 24: 53 PM ;