WINNIPEG — The city continues to react after being called Canada’s most racist city- a title not everyone agrees with.
“I’ve lived across Canada, and I know Winnipeg is not more racist than say in Quebec City or Calgary,” said Robert-Falcon Ouellette. Ouellette was mentioned in the article in a segment about coming across someone who made a racist slur towards him during his mayoral campaign, but there was more to that story than what was published.
“That story about me about the gentleman who was racist towards me, I had a five minute conversation with him and at the end of the day he actually voted for me,” said Ouellette.
Opening discussions is what activists in the city believe are a step in the right direction.
“The article touches on occasions in recent memory where I felt that we should have been having this conversation but I am relieved we are having it now,” said Michael Champagne who organizes Meet me at the Bell Tower in the city’s north end.
The Manitoba Human Rights Commission said it’s unfortunate the article shone a negative light on the city, but much of the content didn’t come as a surprise.
“In terms of a snapshot of complaints we receive, we’ve actually had a slight increase in the number of Aboriginal based complaints in that sense it’s gotten a little bit worse numbers wise,” said Azim Jaiwa, executive director.
They also wanted to remind everyone their services are available, both to educate the public and help people who have felt victimized.
“They can come to us and we will investigate the complaint and help them deal with that issue,” said Jaiwa.
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