Demands for MP’s resignation fuel debate

By richard rolke Morning Star StaffJan 28 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

While MP Colin Mayes is under siege for allegedly finding a joke about First Nations people funny, a local aboriginal leader is questioning the entire situation. The Liberal Party is calling for Mayes to resign as the chairman of the parliamentary aboriginal affairs committee because he replied with “good joke” to an e-mail sent to him by a constituent regarding a First Nations person. “Too much is being made out of it,” said Fabian Alexis, chief of the Okanagan Indian Band. “It seems like an over-reaction on the part of the Liberals. They are looking for any way to criticize (the Conservative government).”

Alexis has had a few meetings and discussions with Mayes since he was elected MP a year ago. “During my interactions with Mr. Mayes, he’s been fine,” said Alexis. “I’ve had good relations with him. He genuinely tries.” In a release, Anita Neville, the Liberals’ Indian affairs critic, demands Mayes resign as committee chairman over his e-mail response to the joke. “This joke – with its reference to ‘chief’ and ‘Tonto’ and its fractured English – is a classic example of the old negative stereotypes that lead to the denigration of Canada’s First Nations people,” said Neville. “Today’s society finds it rightly unacceptable for anyone, never mind an elected public official, to speak of our aboriginal population in this manner. “He should resign immediately as chair and apologize to First Nations people. As chair, his responsibility is to ensure that aboriginals from coast to coast to coast get a fair, unbiased hearing at committee,” said Neville.

Mayes is quick to defend himself against the attack from the Liberal Party. “I’m disappointed with the partisan smear. This issue has been misrepresented and she (Neville) should apologize to me,” he said in an interview from Ottawa. Mayes admits he did say “good joke,” but claims it’s been taken out of context from the entire e-mail conversation he had with the constituent. “I find no humour that insults any group. These kinds of jokes are not appropriate,” he said. Mayes insists he will not resign as chairman and he believes he is doing a good job on the committee. “I chose to sit on that committee because of my desire to help,” he said.

Neville, who could not be reached for comment by The Morning Star, points out in her release that this is not the first time Mayes has apologized for comments he’s made. “Back in April, he was forced to publicly apologize for and retract his claim that certain journalists should be thrown in jail,” she said. “It’s time for Mr. Mayes to be held accountable for the things he says.
“He must resign his position as chair.”