BY GARY WALKER
GUEST OPINION
Une Lettre Ouverte au Premier Ministre et Ministre des Affaires Francophones de L’ile du Prince Edouard, L’Honorable Wade MacLauchlan: Je deplore le fait que Madame Biggar fasse partie de votre cabinet.
In English, our other official language – I deplore the fact that Ms. Paula Biggar is a member of your cabinet. Much has been made of cabinet minister Biggar’s incredible reply to an Island citizen and taxpayer, but not enough.
Mr. Premier, as a citizen, proud of my Acadian roots (Cheverie) – one of the 33 names inscribed in front of the Acadian Museum in Miscouche - I am both angry and shocked at Ms. Biggar’s official reply - 'I don’t speak French’ to an Island citizen. What is she saying? Is she saying she is proud to be ignorant of one of our official languages? As for being proud of being 'curt' - we have had enough of 'curt' - its definition in dictionaries is 'rudely brief'.
RELATED: Paula Biggar posts apology on Facebook after curt email
M. le Premier Ministre, I grew up in the province of Quebec, with French friends and neighbours.
My teaching career here in P.E.I. consisted of both creating and teaching ‘French as a second-language’ and ‘French Immersion' programs for many years, from the Grade 4 level to adult classes.
Mr. Premier, Ms. Biggar’s comment reeks of the racist epithet ‘Speak White.’ Many, from French, to First Nations’ citizens, as well many persons of other cultures, will recognize this hateful phrase, the mantra of an ‘entitled white person.’
Ms. Biggar’s pitiful apologies, on Facebook, no less, don’t cut it for a person chosen by yourself to be a member of your cabinet, representing all Islanders. In fact, many people, myself included, do not have, or want Facebook – so we have received no apology.
Much has been made in some media of the fact that the author of the letter chooses not to speak to the media or the ‘Honourable Minister.’
This common ploy attempts to shift any blame from the real guilty party – the bully -- to the victim of this hurtful incident. I applaud her stance on simply trying to put this behind her and not entering a media circus, although I’m sure it would make a great photo-op for the minister.
M. le premier ministre, an insult of this magnitude requires more than a Facebook apology. Ms. Biggar, having used such offensive language in an official capacity, has to stand in the House in her official capacity as a minister and publicly apologize to all Islanders.
Mr. Premier – you chose Ms. Biggar to serve on your cabinet. If you do nothing - such a large stain on a cabinet minister can only reflect poorly on your choice, especially as you yourself are minister of Francophone Affairs. Your silence is deafening.
Some may consider Ms. Biggar’s comments as a trivial matter, easily forgotten, but not those who have been on the receiving end of such insults. They are hurtful as well as insulting. And, may I add - un-Canadian.
I put it to you that there are only two options open to you, Monsieur le Premier Ministre, with regard to Ms. Biggar. She can resign her cabinet post – having lost the confidence of many Islanders – or she could receive an official reprimand from yourself as Premier and Minister of Francophone affairs, and be required to undertake both French and sensitivity courses.
Only in this manner will she regain the trust given to her by yourself, and be accepted as a worthy representative of your government.
On the other hand, perhaps Ms. Biggar may decide to take her skills to a position in the private sector. In which case I wish her the best of luck.
Thank you – merci - for your prompt attention to this matter.
- Gary Walker, Charlottetown, grew up in Quebec and during his teaching career in P.E.I., taught French as a second-language and French Immersion programs.
