Tory interim leader concerns Indigenous groups

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This article was published 04/02/2022 (1521 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Indigenous groups are expressing concern over the Conservative Party of Canada’s new interim leader.

Candice Bergen, who was named to the role Wednesday, has made “troubling remarks” regarding the trucker convoy that has been parked in downtown Ottawa for the past week, according to the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

“On several occasions, Ms. Bergen has exhibited questionable judgement and has chosen a path of division,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels.

“I call on Conservatives to chart a course of reconciliation and to not further align with hateful elements of their party.”

While there have been hate symbols and confederate flags spotted among the protesters, Bergen compared it with demonstrators toppling the statue of Queen Victoria in Winnipeg on Canada Day last year following revelations of unmarked graves at former residential school sites.

“To even think of drawing similarities between those two movements is disturbingly out of touch,” Daniels said.

“Now, the person who is publicly stating that dangerous rhetoric is at the helm of this country’s Official Opposition. I firmly believe the Conservative party has taken a gigantic step backwards by elevating Ms. Bergen into leadership, even if it is just for a short period of time.”

Organizers of the “freedom convoy” are calling for an end to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Bergen is the member of Parliament for the riding of Portage-Lisgar, which is directly east of Brandon-Souris, and contains Portage la Prairie. The towns of Treherne, Swan Lake First Nation and Manitou are on the western edge of the riding.

The Sun contacted a spokesperson for the Conservative Party of Canada for comment on Daniels’ concerns, but did not hear back by press time.

In a separate statement, Bergen called for a “peaceful resolution” to the protesters encamped in the nation’s capital.

“To the Prime Minister: I’m asking him to provide a clear plan to end the situation in Ottawa. Let’s work together to find solutions.

“To the truck drivers in Ottawa: please remain peaceful. Call out and denounce any acts of hate, racism, intolerance or violence.

“Canadians and Conservatives have heard you loud and clear. Regardless of political stripe, we all want an end to the demonstrations, and we all want an end to the restrictions.”

The Manitoba Métis Federation has also raised concern with the protest, saying it condemns any use of Métis symbols as part of the “anti-vax convoy.”

“It is my understanding that some of the leaders of this protest have either called themselves Métis or have used Métis symbols, like our sash, to encourage the appearance of Indigenous support for their protest,” said MMF president David Chartrand in a statement.

“Canadians and Red River Métis Citizens always have the right to protest, but as your elected representatives, we have the duty to inform all Canadians that these individuals and this convoy in no way represent what we believe in.”

The Métis Federation has encouraged members to get vaccinated and follow public health orders.

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