Ivison: O’Toole’s pro-Canada speech may resonate with voters tired of apologies
2021/06/25 Leave a comment
Ivison’s take. We shall see.
Of course, it was Conservative governments that started the trend, Mulroney’s apology to Japanese Canadians (and “drive-by” apology to Italian Canadians), and Harper government apologies to Chinese Canadians and a “drive-by” apology to Sikh Canadians, and the most significant, the apology to Indigenous peoples for residential schools. The Liberal government just extended the practice (in contrast to earlier Liberal governments).
The Australian equivalent to “sack-cloth and ashes” is the “black armband” portrayal of history.
That being said, there is a balance between recognizing and acknowledging the negative aspects of our history and present without acknowledging the positive ones:
Erin O’Toole’s leadership pledge to “take back Canada” was viciously lampooned. “Indigenous folks, did you hear Erin O’Toole wants to give you your land back,” quipped one social media satirist.
The slogan may have helped O’Toole get elected leader but its Trumpian undercurrent ensured it was retired after he decided to present a more moderate image to Canadians.
Source: O’Toole’s pro-Canada speech may resonate with voters tired of apologies