Indigenous leaders — including the only Manitoba representative in the federal cabinet — are calling into question the Senate appointment of longtime broadcaster Charles Adler.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced over the weekend Adler was one of two new independent senators appointed by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon.
The Hungary-born senator, a son of Holocaust survivors, has made a name for himself as a radio host and, more recently, a columnist for the Free Press.
JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick speaks at a news conference in June.
His public commentary, spanning the last 50 years, has sparked concerns about his new role.
“There are many eminently qualified Manitobans who are better suited to represent our province than Charles Adler,” Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal said in a statement Monday.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak are asking Ottawa to rescind the appointment.
Both groups flagged Adler’s past categorization of Indigenous peoples as “uncivilized boneheads.”
AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick called the appointment “a grave insult to all First Nations in Manitoba and across Canada.”
“His racist comments do not indicate a modicum of respect, equality and justice that are supposed to guide our society. How can any First Nation feel that his reviews of legislation impacting reserves, treaties, and inherent rights would be even remotely favourable to the original peoples of these lands?” Merrick said in a news release Monday.
She drew parallels between Adler’s comments and the behaviour of former senator Lynn Beyak.
Beyak, who retired early from the Senate in 2021 amid public pressure, frequently faced criticism for her inflammatory statements about residential schools.
The former northwestern Ontario representative suggested there was “good” in the residential school system and that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s work was unbalanced.
When reached, Adler declined to comment on his track record.
The new appointee is the sixth Manitoba representative on the Senate.
He joins Senate speaker Raymonde Gagné, leader of the Opposition Don Plett, Mary Jane McCallum, Marilou McPhedran and Gigi Osler — none of whom responded to requests for comment Monday.
In a news release, the prime minister’s office celebrated Adler’s use of his platform “to champion human rights and Canadian democracy.”
MIKE SUDOMA / FREE PRESS
Newly appointed Sen. Charles Adler in his home Saturday afternoon.
MKO Acting Grand Chief Angela Levasseur said in a statement that Adler’s biography does not acknowledge the complaints that have been filed against him during his career.
Levasseur said she was appalled someone “who has such a disregard for the plight of our people” has been tapped for such a prestigious role.
“The vile words and contempt he has spoken are so vicious and racist they could be considered hate crimes,” said Levasseur, who represents 26 First Nations in northern Manitoba.
Premier Wab Kinew took to social media to congratulate Adler shortly after his appointment was announced.
“Wishing him all the best in his important role representing Manitoba in the Senate,” states a post made on Kinew’s official X (formerly known as Twitter) page.
When reached for comment Monday, a spokesperson for the premier’s office indicated Kinew stands by his endorsement.
Winnipeg South Centre MP Ben Carr declined an interview on the subject Monday.
Terry Duguid and Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal MPs for Winnipeg South and Winnipeg North respectively, did not immediately respond to questions about the appointment.
maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca
Maggie Macintosh
Education reporter
Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., Maggie was an intern at the Free Press twice while earning her degree at Ryerson’s School of Journalism (now Toronto Metropolitan University) before joining the newsroom as a reporter in 2019. Read more about Maggie.
Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative.
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