“TRUSTEE GORDON GILCHRIST’S
REMARKS ARE OFFENSIVE AND RACIST,” SAYS THE CANADIAN RACE RELATIONS FOUNDATION
(CRRF)
Toronto, March 5, 2008: “The Canadian Race Relations Foundation finds the
remarks published in a letter to the editor of the Port Hope Evening Guide from
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Trustee, Gordon Gilchrist to be
offensive and blatantly racist, and certainly bring into question his
suitability to serve in this publicly accountable role,” says Dr. Ayman
Al-Yassini, Executive Director of the CRRF.
“Mr. Gilchrist’s
comments reflect some of the very basic stereotypes and xenophobia that the
Foundation finds deeply offensive, and completely ignores the vast
contributions which immigrants make that allow him to maintain his privileged
way of life.
“Mr Gilchrist’s
attempt to apologize for his remarks, saying that ‘racism has no place in our
society’ is somewhat empty since he fails to realize that what he said was in
fact racist. It is therefore disturbing that someone with these sentiments
should be allowed to hold public office, particularly as a trustee on a board
of education,” concluded Al-Yassini.
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The Canadian Race
Relations Foundation (CRRF) was founded as part of the Japanese Canadian
Redress Agreement to shed light on the causes and manifestations of racism and
to play a leading role in the elimination of racism and racial discrimination,
and in bringing about a more harmonious
Contact:
Patrick Hunter,
CRRF Communications, 416-952-8359 or 416-473-5062 (cell)