Many people have taken to social media over the long weekend to express their thoughts on the comments made by Don Cherry during Coach’s Corner.
Jagmeet Singh responded to Cherry’s comments by sharing a photo of his Great-Grandfather who served in WWI and WWII with the British.
Singh wrote, “There is no “you people”. We’re all as Canadian as the next. We honour all who served.”
Don, let me introduce you to “#youpeople”
My great grandfather, Hira Singh, who served in WW1 & WW2 under the British.
We honour all who served. #RemembranceSunday pic.twitter.com/pNeBlJMC4R
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) November 10, 2019
Local Activist, Hasan Hai followed suit and shared a photo of his Grandfather who served in WWII with the Royal Indian Air Force.
Hai says there are a diverse group of veterans and people from various backgrounds who made major contributions to the war. He says they bled the same blood and shed the same tears. Their stories deserve to be told and remembered as well.
My late grandfather, Group Captain Abdul Hai. A veteran, immigrant to Canada, and Canadian citizen. He was always ‘Aba Jan’ to me. (Thread) pic.twitter.com/NEfnZgTpMh
— Hasan Hai (@HasanHaiNL) November 10, 2019
Hai says that its remarks like those of Cherry’s that divide us, saying he is just as much of a Canadian as Don Cherry. He says when Cherry uses this language he drives a divide between people and questions how authentic an immigrant’s Canadian citizenship is.
Hai says Cherry’s remarks are not the only part of the problem but the people such as Ron MacLean who sit by and enable these comments.
Sportsnet Apologizes, Cherry Not So Much
Sportsnet says Don Cherry has immediately stepped down from his role on Coach’s Corner.
In a statement, Sportsnet President, Bart Yabsley says it is the right time for Don Cherry to immediately step down from his position on Hockey Night in Canada.
Statement from Sportsnet: pic.twitter.com/ah3twdx9po
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 11, 2019
Sportsnet says that Cherry made divisive comments on Saturday night’s broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada that does not represent their values or what Sportsnet stands for.
Yabsley says Cherry is synonymous with hockey and has played an integral role in growing the game over the past 40 years.
Sportsnet thanked Don for his contributions to hockey and sports broadcasting in Canada.
Cherry’s co-host Ron MacLean apologized for the comments, and for sitting idly by on Sunday night’s broadcast of Rogers Hometown Hockey.
A statement from @RonMacLeanHTH pic.twitter.com/DitYDB4HTO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 11, 2019
Cherry says he was fired and remained unapologetic about the remarks singling out new immigrants.
