. . . . As a minister himself, primarily overseeing Ontario's law-enforcement system, Mad Dog [Runciman] has had a bone clenched in his jaw. Mr. Runciman admires police officers and he has been diligent in protecting and promoting their interests. That's fair enough but this week he took that pro-police zeal a step further by getting involved in the enduring tension between Toronto police and some of the city's black residents.
On his way into the week's cabinet meeting, the Public Safety and Security Minister was asked about a remark a day earlier by Toronto police chief Julian Fantino that black leaders spent too much time bashing the police and not enough time trying to turn young, black men away from violence.
Mr. Runciman could have refused to comment or he could have buried reporters in heaps of platitudes. Instead, he got out his shovel and dug himself a huge hole by suggesting that some blacks had a vested interest in seeing that tension with the police continues because it was a source of their livelihood.
Predictably, the minister's comments were derided by blacks. The gentle Lincoln Alexander, a former lieutenant-governor who is an unofficial leader of Toronto's 300,000 blacks, suggested Mr. Runciman had done "irreparable harm."
What if it is true? Is it not possible any more to speak your mind without checking which sensitive group you're going to offend?
[. . . .]
And the feeling that Mr. Runciman didn't just blurt out his remarks is strengthened by support he has received from Ernie Eves. . . . has continued to defend Mr. Runciman, . . . . And perhaps the minister and Mr. Fantino are correct in saying that some blacks aren't interested in working with the law-enforcement officials.
The writer recommends "Bringing back school counsellors and restoring community access to gyms would be a good start." I say, as usual it is blame anything but the source of the violence -- violent thugs.
[. . . .]
The inescapable conclusion is that this is a dog-whistle issue. The Tories are sending a signal that only their hard-core supporters can hear: "Come home," it says. "No more of that kinder, gentler stuff. It's back to basics."
It's a dangerous, subtextual message that is reinforced by, for example, including Tory policy proposals on immigration in the section of the election platform document that deals with crime. Indeed, Mr. Eves was back at this yesterday, arguing that Ontario must have its own immigration system because the federal government is letting in criminals rather than honest, hard-working applicants.
It may play well in parts of Ontario that don't have to deal with the challenges that Toronto faces -- mostly with goodwill -- in accepting 100,000 immigrants annually. . . .
My Commentary:
***100,000 immigrants to Toronto each year? Why? Is Toronto underpopulated? ***
Its own immigration system for Ontario? An idea whose time has come for each province. If it is good enough for Quebec, it's good enough for the lesser breeds. Bang on! And the courage of Fantino and Runciman is a delight in politically correct Canada. As I've said before, it's time to call it the way you see it -- and end the lies of political correctness.
