Official Cherry-Picking Commissioner
Would someone explain to me how it is the jurisdiction of Canada’s official languages commissioner (yes, we have one) to investigate deprecating comments by Hockey Night in Canada’s resident clown, Don Cherry.
The story in case you missed it, or in case you’re American: two weeks ago Cherry was arguing, in his patented libelous style, against mandatory protective visors for NHL players. In his attack, he sniffed, “Most of the guys that wear them are Europeans and French guys.” Since France is still part of Europe last we checked, Cherry was clearly referring to French-Canadian players, who traditionally have been less likely to be goons than your average English Canadian meathead, and who usually have, you know, some actual skill.
In discussion this hockey season it has become evident that the primary reason most players oppose mandatory visors, despite an alarming rise in serious eye-injuries, is that visors are considered wimpy. Real men don’t wear visors. Players who wear them are, by tradition, not supposed to fight, and we all know that real men like to get in a fight now and then, to prove their manliness, lest it be discovered that such real men might not have other important skills, such as “the ability to score”.
So, essentially, Cherry’s slur was to imply that French-Canadians aren’t tough.
What you might have deduced from all this is that I, like so many others, think Cherry’s a dolt, and I disagree with anyone discriminating against French-Canadians or any other group in such a loutish manner. Having said that, I’m still wondering what this has to do with official languages, or with the federal government at all. Cherry works for the public broadcaster, CBC, but CBC is an arms-length institution, and it is not subject to bureaucratic whim.
Maybe there’s a reason, though. The commissioner is reportedly investigating whether Cherry’s comments violated the Official Languages Act. I haven’t read the Act, mind you, but one can speculate. Perhaps Don Cherry should have offered his insult in French as well as English, to be fair to all speakers of the official languages. Or maybe the Act forbids verbal attacks against speakers of English or French — so Cherry should have insulted only Swedish, Russian and Czech players.
The Globe and Mail at least attempts to explain the rationale: “The commissioner acts as a bilingualism watchdog, trying to ensure that the federal government lives up to the Official Languages Act. She can investigate complaints and make recommendations to federal departments or agencies, including the CBC, about how they treat minority language groups.”
Ah. So it is possible that the CBC, as a public institution, may not permit its employees to express disparaging comments about “minority language groups.” From this, one may infer that it may be against the law to insult someone based on his linguistic background if you work for the government. However, if you insult someone based on her ethnic background or religion, well, hey, the floor is yours buddy.
Previously: Super Television
Subsequently: Moscow Metro Puts World to Shame
Comments
Actually, his statement is right. 65% of the guys wearing visors are Europeans and French-Canadians born in Quebec. His point is not that they are wimps. His point is that when guys wear visors, they carry their sticks high. Playing in garage leagues, I have experienced this first hand. By the way, Guy Lafleur, as flashy and talented as any player that ever played didn’t even wear a helmet. Neither did Jean Beliveau or Serge Savard or Yvon Cournoyer. They were all French Canadians and you’ll never hear Don Cherry say a bad word about them.
For all that at times Don Cherry is a dolt, he is right about the visor issue. Sticks can get under them. They can shatter. So, if they encourage players to carry their sticks high, they will not prevent injury. Getting some respect for each other back in the game will.
— Glen Dahl | Feb. 8, 2004 — 2 PM