Howard Charles Green - The Dilemna
It is with much regret that I learned that Minister/Senator Fortier cancelled the naming of a building after Howard Green in the City of Vancouver.
Senators including Hugh Segal and myself spoke about the issues surrounding the naming and our support in having the building named after Mr. Green. All of us understand the concerns raised by the Japanese/Canadian community. This issue was dealt with by Prime Minister Mulroney in the 80’s with an apology to Japanese/Canadians and an endowment for education purposes.
It is indeed unfortunate that a distinguished Canadian such as Mr. Green has been judged by a comment made in a different time. A time when Canada was at war and Canadians were living in fear of the Japanese enemy. Mr. Green served Canada as a soldier, as a politician serving the Quadra riding for many terms, as a statesman and as someone who was instrumental in starting the anti-nuclear movement. Despite this, the “New” Canadian Government has again made a knee jerk decision. For a party which continually espouses Christian values, it is obvious that they have forgotten a key component of Christian beliefs. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” If we followed the Conservatives and their logic then we should start just naming buildings after numbers rather than people who have contributed to making Canada a great country. But then Canadians are used to the hypocrisy of this Prime Minister and his followers.
February 18th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
It was my understanding that the building has already been dedicated, and that Howard’s granddaughter attended the ceremony:
http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=237889
Is it possible to undedicate a building just by saying so? How revisionist of the CPoC!
February 19th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
The change of name link from Feb 8th (apparently they can undedicate buildings, who would have guessed)
http://news.gc.ca/cfmx/view/en/index.jsp?articleid=275059&keyword=401+Burrard&keyword=401+Burrard&
But they will let Mr. Green back in the running. (He may get the building named after him after all, or maybe Steven Colbert will enter)
Wednesday, February 14, 2007 (Senate Chamber - Question Period)
Hon. Hugh Segal: Honourable senators, my question is for the Minister of Public Works and Government Services. I note that the minister’s department announced the creation of a new advisory group relative to the naming of a federal government building in Vancouver in honour of the Late Honourable Howard Green. While I appreciate the department’s and the minister’s desire to be respectful of various opinions expressed relative to that possible naming, could he assure this chamber that in the consideration of options for naming that building there will be no prima facie rejection of the compelling merits associated with the name of Howard Green?
Hon. Michael Fortier (Minister of Public Works and Government Services): I thank the honourable senator for his question. I referred the matter back to committee after it was discovered last October that a controversy surrounds the name. I asked the committee to meet again to determine whether it would stand by its recommendation, but the committee could not reach a consensus. I chose to form another committee and when I issued the press release, I said that the matter would be open to any and all suggestions — no exclusions. If individuals wish to put forward the name of Howard Green again, they can do so, and I will put that in the hands of the committee and await its recommendations to me.