Skip to content

LETTERS: Senator Beyak must be sent packing

Conservative Senator Lynn Beyak has made ignorant and offensive comments about residential schools and Indigenous peoples for the second time this year.
8693647_web1_170815-SNM-M-Letters

Conservative Senator Lynn Beyak has made ignorant and offensive comments about residential schools and Indigenous peoples for the second time this year.

Her suggestion that Indigenous people give up their status smacks of privilege and ignorance about the rights of Indigenous peoples in this country.

Her ongoing claims that residential schools “did some good” are hurtful to thousands of residential school survivors and their families. Thousands of Indigenous youth died and abused in residential schools, as has been well documented by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

The Conservatives said Senator Beyak has “no role in their caucus” but they have not taken any meaningful action to actually remove her from the party.

They are basically giving Beyak a “time out” but leaving the door open to quietly putting her back into a position of power after this spotlight fades.

Ignorance and racism of this kind do not belong in politics. If the Conservatives want to prove they are inclusive, they need to boot Beyak from caucus immediately.

David Mallett

Sooke

Re: CRD drops European sewage tour (News, Sept. 20)

I read with interest about the CRD dropping it’s European Sewage tour, and Coun. Rick Kasper’s reaction. “That’s the sad reality.”

On the contrary, it’s a joyful reality.

Why? Firstly, the taxpaying constituents said very loudly “no” to the ridiculous idea that a fully financed trip to Europe was necessary, especially on our taxes.

Secondly, it’s really joyful that the CRD directors and Sooke Mayor Maja Tait got the message that wasteful expenditure is not on our agenda.

And, finally, the boneheads who thought that it would fly got some reality – sad or not.

So, councillor Kasper and our mayor should get some remedial training on democracy 101, possibly at a local school. I think the taxpayers could finance that without too much difficulty.

Fred Whittaker

Sooke