FRIDAY, 28 NOVEMBER, 2003
The unbearable lightness of race - THE COMMENTARY
By Joseph Planta
VANCOUVER - On Saturday, 15 November, 2003, the day after Paul Martin was crowned leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, effectively tapped the prime minister-designate, the Vancouver Sun ran a front page story quoting cabinet minister Herb Dhaliwal as saying, should he be tossed from the cabinet, there would be a "backlash" against Martin and the Liberal Party from the Indo-Canadian community. Dhaliwal, by most objective accounts looked to be out of a job come the time Martin would become leader. This outburst claiming a hostile response from the Indo-Canadian community is seen largely as blackmail, if not a pathetic attempt to hang on to his cabinet post. Of course, since the story was splashed across the pages of the Sun, Dhaliwal has since claimed he was misquoted and that he is considering legal action against the paper.
When Paul Martin was dumped from the cabinet in the summer of 2002, Jean Chrétien in an effort to consolidate power shuffled his deck to keep his friends close by. British Columbia's political minister was the long-serving David Anderson, who remained environment minister through the ratification process of Kyoto; he lost the lofty title of political minister, which meant he lost control of vetting federal patronage appointments in the province. Dhaliwal was installed BC lieutenant simply because he spoke out for Chrétien, while Anderson was at best lukewarm, and seen as a through and through Martinite.
Now with Martin in control, Dhaliwal is naturally worried about losing the high profile task of being BC's top voice in Ottawa. Anderson is a shoo-in, reducing Dhaliwal to cat-calling, effectively calling Martin out to dump him at his supposed peril. Whether Dhaliwal is misquoted or not, it's interesting to see that one Manjit Singh, of the Canadian Sikh Council, has come out to say that should Dhaliwal be out of the cabinet, there would "be a sense of loss and disappointment" from within the Sikh community.
If Canada is this multicultural society that the Liberals have long propagated, then one wonders why visible minorities like minister Dhaliwal and Ms. Singh, seem so insecure that they expect to have a place at the cabinet table. The idea that certain communities deserve space at the cabinet table is absurd. One is not naïve enough to think that only the best people get into cabinet. For if that were the case, one would see a cabinet formed of people from all parties. A prime minister weighs where one is from, meaning what region of the country, as well who has been naughty in the interim. Ones age is considered, as is ones beliefs, as all prime ministers have done, in consideration of striking a balance of political thought around the cabinet table. Only after all this, is ones personal ability considered. This is politics after all, and it's been demonstrated from time and memoriam on, there have been dead blocks of wood, sitting around that cabinet table from time to time. In politics, as the adage goes, winning is everything. It's politics, not a bake sale, so of course common sense is not at all a requisite.
Herb Dhaliwal is an accomplished and successful businessman. His personal wealth has been oft-mentioned, and he really doesn't need to be in political life. Were it not for ego and the thought that he may have some contribution to make for the good of the country, he'd probably be making more money in the private sector. He is a seasoned politician, and he's no dummy. He sees the writing on the wall and he knows he's bound to get turfed. He's fighting for his political career, wishing to retain a seat at the cabinet to maintain whatever personal desire he has for the job. With a cabinet post comes some influence, and perhaps Dhaliwal is wishing to retain whatever lofty environs he is accustomed to now. However, when he plays the race card like that, it smacks of political idiocy. Dhaliwal knows full well that Paul Martin has reason fire him. Dhaliwal was an ardent supporter of Chrétien, and for his troubles, Martin forces went into his constituency and replaced the executive in Vancouver-South Burnaby, with folks more likely to support Martin.
It is no secret that visible minorities are more likely to support the Liberal Party of Canada. One sort of dances with the one that brung you, and thanks to Grits like Pearson and Trudeau, through their promotion of multiculturalism, those of a visible minority have been more than ready to extend their support to those responsible. However, after extending such support, of course, payback is often necessary. Political hardball is fun and exhilarating, but after all the hysteria comes the sobering reality of paying the piper who calls the tune.
The idea that a certain ethnic group makes up a certain segment of the population, thus they should be entitled to a seat at the cabinet table is absurd. The idea that race is a factor is absurd to begin with. Race, this convenient and uncomplicated definition for peoples by rather superficial features or physical characteristics is mythic, as it is constructed. Multiculturalism, whilst promoting some mystic utopia of togetherness and tranquility, is fraught with disaster when considering that racial harmony can only be achieved by reinforcing ridiculous stereotypes that are supposed to be eradicated in the first place. The Liberals gain lots by courting certain ethnic groups, they shouldn't be surprised when a leading figure such as Dhaliwal, who is looked upon as "a role model" within the Sikh community, demands his payback for his token participation in the political process.
Herb Dhaliwal shouldn't be resorting to blackmail to retain his sinecure. But groups, of whatever shape, colour or ethnic background, should not as well, expect a cabinet seat because they supposedly deserve it. And Paul Martin should not compose his cabinet based on trivial classifications. Then again, one suspects he will, and such will be the case until the end of time. O Canada, for all your true north strength and reckless abandon, you're appallingly fixed to the distressing reality of political correctness - some trailblazer, some example.
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