Maclean’s magazine calls Winnipeg the country’s “most racist” city in its latest edition
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Maclean’s is stirring controversy with its latest cover story, which names Winnipeg the most racist city in Canada. The magazine admonishes both Winnipeg and Canada, stating: "Canada has a bigger race problem than America and it’s ugliest in Winnipeg."
The cover story highlights recent Canadian headlines involving First Nations people in Winnipeg that garnered attention across the country, including the August murder of 15-year-old Tina Fontaine, the brutal assault of 16-year-old Rinelle Harper, and the inquiry into the death of Brian Sinclair. The article starts with a Facebook post from a Winnipeg teacher saying, "Oh Goddd how long are aboriginal people going to use what happened as a crutch to suck more money out of Canadians? They have contributed NOTHING to the development of Canada. Just standing with their hand out. Get to work, tear the treaties and shut the FK up already. Why am I on the hook for their cultural support?" The story continues with examples of prejudice and racism faced by the city's Aboriginal community.
On Friday an emotional Mayor Brian Bowman stood alongside dozens of community leaders and did the unexpected by admitting that Manitoba's capital is far from perfect. "We have a lot of work to do as a community," said the city’s first Metis mayor at a press conference following the story’s release. "A lot of work has been made in previous years and we’ve got a lot more work to do. We’re not going to end racism tomorrow, but we’re sure as hell going to try."
Grand Chief Derek Nepinak of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs echoed Mayor Bowma'’s comments saying it's time to talk about it. "I guarantee you that, right now, somebody is having a racist experience in a restaurant or on the streets in Winnipeg somewhere. I'm not here to pacify. I want people to continue to stand up and be strong... Let's have this dialogue now because we're strong enough as a society to overcome it together."
Maclean’s editor Paul Wells took to the Internet to address his respect for the Winnipeg mayor. "Already [Bowman’s response] was surprising. Bowman was not demanding Maclean’s apologize, or indeed anyone… He was careful to note what nobody would deny: that racism exists everywhere, not only in Winnipeg, and that the city is full of people who work hard to combat racism and its effects. But neither he nor the other speakers sought any bogus refuge in the fact that Maclean’s isn’t published locally or that it used nasty words in its article."
The city seems to be on the same page, and is ready to see change. "We need to have a difficult conversation in our city respective of race," said Winnipeg Police Chief Devon Clunis. "I think you are seeing who is starting that conversation today."