Beyond The Commons

Aaron Wherry covers all the goings-on in and around Parliament Hill. Follow Aaron on Twitter: @aaronwherry

Categories: Beyond The Commons, Capital Read

As to the historical legacy of Louis Riel

by Aaron Wherry on Friday, February 19, 2010 5:39pm - 61 Comments

Conservative MP Peter Goldring has managed today the rare feat of uniting the Liberal party and the Prime Minister’s Office in scorn.

“This document is absolutely not, in any way, an initiative of our government or our party,” said Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in an emailed statement. ”This is a personal initiative of MP Goldring which we strongly disapprove of. Louis Riel is a historical and controversial figure. But he played an important role in the development of Canada and in the protection of the rights and culture of the Metis and Francophones in Canada.”

Conservative Shelly Glover, a Metis, calls Mr. Goldring’s published views unjust, inaccurate and unfortunate. The newsletter in question is here.

Tags: dimitri soudas, Louis Riel, Manitoba, Metis, Peter Goldring, prime minister's office, Shelly Glover

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As to the historical legacy of Louis Riel – That was a great title to discuss.
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edhird

Louis Riel had a remarkable impact in so many ways. I commend to you the article "Louis Riel and Nicholas Flood Davin": http://bit.ly/f1FXdm
BJB

Scott was hung at Fort Garry following a vote by a seven-man court marshal of the provisional government headed by Riel. The vote was four in favour of execution and two opposed. The presiding officer, Ambrosie Lepine, ruled that Scott be executed as determined by the court majority (4-2). Justice, however sad and divided at the time, took its course. Riel later was executed for his role in the so-called Second Rebellion, which happened two decades after the execution of Scott, in a place we now call Saskatchewan. Those who died in both rebellions did so in defense of their respective communities, which have since become one. Let us remember the dead and never forget that their sacrifice, on all sides, was for justice. Peter Goldring, like too many others with their backward-looking notions of right and wrong, disgrace our history and those who forged it. Thankfully, our country no longer sanctions execution by government, though I imagine Goldring and his ilk wish it were otherwise.
Mike R

I don't think Goldring's use of the term "villain" is particularly called for, since Riel, in the second rebellion was clearly suffering from some degree of mental illness. And I don't agree with capital punishment, so his execution was both immoral (although not within the standards of the times) and unwise politically.
He did, however, receive a fair trial by the standards of the day. Scott did not, by any standards.
But in recognizing the causes of the Metis rebellion we should not make the mistake of accepting violence as a legitimate way to seek redress of grievances, however sincerely felt. Killing soldiers and policemen to assert your political beliefs is not acceptable in a democracy, and was as unacceptable in 1885 as it would be today. Approving of Riel's actions because he is long dead is simply patronizing nonsense.