Local riding president insults immigrants
Yesterday’s protest calling upon Stephen Harper to require David Emerson to resign and run in a by-election was on-balance a respectful affair, despite the close proximity of Mr. Harper’s supporters and Emerson’s critics.
Indeed, many interesting conversations were struck between folks from both ‘camps’ while we waited for the Prime Minister to arrive and later depart. A couple of Conservative supporters thanked our volunteers for engaging them in respectful debate over the issue. These were very ‘Canadian’ moments in politics which made me proud.
Its fair to say that we opened some eyes yesterday. One neatly dressed young Conservative even admitted that he agreed with our principled stand on the issue. This doesn’t surprise me at all – many party members have expressed to me privately and in confidence that they are deeply troubled by both the Emerson and Fortier appointments.
Sadly, not everyone there to support the Prime Minister was as respectful as the energetic young Conservatives. A couple of Conservative Party officials were in fact down right insulting.
Burnaby—Douglas Conservative Electoral District Association president Ariane Eckhardt took a verbal swipe at me, which I fully expected. Eckhardt, a long time conservative hailing from the Progressive Conservative Party, clearly doesn’t feel that I should take a principled stand on the Harper-Emerson affair, in public. She called me a “phony” – on what grounds I’ve no idea. I found her comment to me a little humorous but not particularly hurtful, especially given the source.
On the other hand, Peter Appleton, president of the New Westminster—Coquitlam Conservative Electoral District Association, was nasty, venomous, and insulting to immigrants to Canada.
At one point Mr. Appleton was engaged in a slightly heated discussion with a number of pro-democracy supporters, including Jurgen Claudepierre and Manuel Pereda. Appleton angrily and loudly yelled at Jurgen and Manuel:
Why don’t you just go back to the country where you came from? Peter Appleton
I had been observing the discussion and heard Mr. Appleton clearly utter these words, as did half a dozen other people who were nearby. This discriminatory and jingoistic verbal attack by Appleton borders on racism and must not be tolerated by any political party.
Both Jurgen and Manuel are immigrants to our country and are Canadian citizens who feel real passion for Canada. Both are highly critical of Emerson’s post-election conversion to my party as they rightly see the issue as an attack on fundamental principles of democracy. Both are reasonable, adult, family men who have never been involved in anything political before beyond casting a ballot. I’m proud to be associated with such fine Canadians.
The Campaign to De-Elect David Emerson earlier today issued a press release demanding an apology from Appleton, the Conservative Party, and from Stephen Harper.
Personally, I’m ashamed that an elected official of my party would behave in such a manner, and its my opinion that an apology isn’t enough – Appleton should tender his resignation immediately.
Footnote: One of the invited guests to Mr. Harper’s child care media event – and a supporter of Harper’s child care strategy – on leaving the meeting criticized Harper’s appointment of Emerson and signed our four foot by eight foot petition! Spin that one, Mr. Harper!