Charles Adler at a news conference on a baseball field in Winnipeg, Wednesday, September 15, 2010. The appointment of longtime broadcaster Charles Adler to the Senate is being criticized in some quarters, including a member of the federal cabinet. Photo: John Woods/The Canadian Press.
The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says the organization is “offended and disappointed” over the appointment of Charles Adler, a media commentator in the province, to Canada’s Senate.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Adler on Aug. 17.
In a statement Monday, AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said Adler’s past comments, including calling Indigenous Peoples “uncivilized boneheads”, is a “stark” reminder of systemic racism in Canada.
“These are not just passing remarks,” said Merrick in the statement. “They were and still are hurtful, but they also perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about First Nations now that this is once again being brought to light because of this appointment.”
Adler spent decades hosting talk-radio shows. The AMC, representing 63 First Nations in Manitoba, isn’t the only one concerned about Adler’s appointment.
According to various media reports, Trudeau’s cabinet minister, Dan Vandal, whose responsibilities include northern affairs and economic growth on the Prairies, issued a short statement saying, “There are many eminently qualified Manitobans who are better suited to represent our province than Charles Adler.”
APTN News reached out to Adler to comment on the reaction his appointment was getting.
“I am accountable for what I say and do. I’ve reached out to the Grand Chief and the assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to request a face-to-face meeting,” he said in an email. “I am still waiting to hear from them.”
Anishinaabe premier, Wab Kinew in Manitoba offered his message on the appointment.
“Congratulations to Charles Adler on this appointment,” Kinew wrote on X. “Wishing him all the best in his important role representing Manitoba in the Senate.”
Congratulations to Charles Adler on this appointment. Wishing him all the best in his important role representing Manitoba in the Senate.https://t.co/C6zIwU97c4
— Wab Kinew (@WabKinew) August 18, 2024
AMC wants the prime minister to revoke his appointment.
In 1999, it lodged a complaint against Adler that was rejected by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, a voluntary self-regulatory organization for private broadcasters.
“The AMC filed formal complaints against Adler’s vulgar and racist commentary in the past, and it is obvious that Canada and the prime minister have turned a blind eye to these offensive views when making this appointment to the Senate,” the AMC said.
“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?”
The 1999 complaint centred partly on a radio segment in which Adler criticized governance and a lack of jobs on reserves. The complaint also included concerns about another CJOB Radio host in a different time slot.
“I believe in free enterprise, which does not exist on reserves. I believe in law and order, which does not exist. I believe in responsible government, that does not exist there,” Adler is quoted as saying in a transcript of the broadcast included in the council’s decision.
Adler then talked about “boneheads” and dictators of the past in countries such as Ukraine, Cambodia and Hungary — where Adler was born — and then compared the job prospects in those countries to conditions on reserves.
“Nobody behind this microphone is trying to say there’s lots of jobs on the reserves … I’m just not interested in supporting boneheads and boneheaded arguments,” the transcript reads.
The council ruled the CJOB broadcasts did not violate the council’s code of ethics. It said criticism of a First Nations government is fair commentary, similar to criticism of any other government.
“The present case is no different. Those who occupy positions of power on the reserves may legitimately be described, on account of the decisions which they make, as ‘boneheads’ or ‘intellectually moribund’ by opinion-holders in the media,” the decision states.
With files from the Canadian Press.
