viff3r
05-03-2007, 01:04 PM
What a ridiculous situation...anyways...I know online petitions are pretty useless, but it can't hurt.
2222 signatures at the time I post this.
http://www.savedoan.ca/default.aspx
The Issue
During a December 13, 2005 National Hockey League game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens, a linesman working that game claimed that Coyotes’ forward Shane Doan directed an anti-French slur at that game’s referee Stephane Auger. Doan was then issued a misconduct penalty. As one would expect, the alleged incident was investigated by the NHL. Upon investigating, no substance was found to the charges by the NHL and Doan was cleared.
Fast forward nearly 17 months. Doan, for his international experience, leadership abilities and respect amongst his peers has been named captain of Canada’s entry in the World Hockey Championships. In a Monday, April 30 session in the House of Commons Canada’s three opposition parties brought up the issue with some pretty harsh things to say. Some quotes from some pretty prominent Ottawa personalities:
Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democrat Party stated that Doan’s captaincy would “cast a shadow” on Canada’s participation in the tournament.
Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe referred to Doan’s choice as captain as “disrespectful” to French Canadians.
Stephane Dion, leader of the official opposition Liberal party deemed the silence of Canada’s governing Conservative party as “Shocking.”
Later all four of Canada’s major political parties – including the Conservatives - supported a motion requiring Hockey Canada to explain their choice of captaincy to the Canadian government. As a result, Hockey Canada and Sport Canada must appear before the Commons’ Official Languages Committee and Mr. Doan’s name receives what some may describe as unjust bad press all because of an alleged allegation.
Opinion
Every once in a while, the lines between politics and the day-to-day operations of our country are blurred. Such is the nature of democracy. Those in office are accountable to the people that voted them in, and thus are must remain cognizant of what it takes to get those votes again. It’s what helps make Canada the great free country it is.
At the same time, sometimes politicking brings out the worst. It is our opinion that that is the case in this situation. While we very much value and enjoy Quebec’s vital role in Canada and would certainly condemn slurs against those that live there or any other part of Canada, this particular incident has no business being on the table in the House of Commons—a place where much more pertinent issues such as the Canada’s Environmental Commitment, our troops’ participation in wars abroad and National Unity are very often the topics of the day.
We are asking that if you support our opinion, you please take a few seconds out of your day to sign our petition in order to let your government and member of parliament know how you feel. The ultimate goal would be to have the motion rescinded. At the very least, by strength in numbers we can let those that supported the motion know what we feel is an appropriate or inappropriate use of time and resources.
2222 signatures at the time I post this.
http://www.savedoan.ca/default.aspx
The Issue
During a December 13, 2005 National Hockey League game between the Phoenix Coyotes and Montreal Canadiens, a linesman working that game claimed that Coyotes’ forward Shane Doan directed an anti-French slur at that game’s referee Stephane Auger. Doan was then issued a misconduct penalty. As one would expect, the alleged incident was investigated by the NHL. Upon investigating, no substance was found to the charges by the NHL and Doan was cleared.
Fast forward nearly 17 months. Doan, for his international experience, leadership abilities and respect amongst his peers has been named captain of Canada’s entry in the World Hockey Championships. In a Monday, April 30 session in the House of Commons Canada’s three opposition parties brought up the issue with some pretty harsh things to say. Some quotes from some pretty prominent Ottawa personalities:
Jack Layton, the leader of the New Democrat Party stated that Doan’s captaincy would “cast a shadow” on Canada’s participation in the tournament.
Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe referred to Doan’s choice as captain as “disrespectful” to French Canadians.
Stephane Dion, leader of the official opposition Liberal party deemed the silence of Canada’s governing Conservative party as “Shocking.”
Later all four of Canada’s major political parties – including the Conservatives - supported a motion requiring Hockey Canada to explain their choice of captaincy to the Canadian government. As a result, Hockey Canada and Sport Canada must appear before the Commons’ Official Languages Committee and Mr. Doan’s name receives what some may describe as unjust bad press all because of an alleged allegation.
Opinion
Every once in a while, the lines between politics and the day-to-day operations of our country are blurred. Such is the nature of democracy. Those in office are accountable to the people that voted them in, and thus are must remain cognizant of what it takes to get those votes again. It’s what helps make Canada the great free country it is.
At the same time, sometimes politicking brings out the worst. It is our opinion that that is the case in this situation. While we very much value and enjoy Quebec’s vital role in Canada and would certainly condemn slurs against those that live there or any other part of Canada, this particular incident has no business being on the table in the House of Commons—a place where much more pertinent issues such as the Canada’s Environmental Commitment, our troops’ participation in wars abroad and National Unity are very often the topics of the day.
We are asking that if you support our opinion, you please take a few seconds out of your day to sign our petition in order to let your government and member of parliament know how you feel. The ultimate goal would be to have the motion rescinded. At the very least, by strength in numbers we can let those that supported the motion know what we feel is an appropriate or inappropriate use of time and resources.