CBC Betrays mandate with airing of "The Re-trial of Louis Riel"OTTAWA (October 21, 2002) - The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) today charged that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has betrayed it's mandate, it's commitments and it's responsibilities with respect to the Metis people of Canada and the Canadian public-at-large as regulated and directed by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC). The CBC is scheduled to air the "Re-trial of Louis Riel" program tomorrow on CBC's all news channel, Newsworld. The program in question is presenting a fictional trial of Riel allowing some of Canada's most famous lawyers to make up prosecution and defense cases twisting yesterday's facts with today's law. The program has taken a seminal event in Canadian history and Canadian justice and turned it into a fantasy. "By having the re-trial it is adding to the misconceptions and myths of Métis history." stated Tony Belcourt, President of the MNO." The re-trial will only mislead and misinform people about the truth. It's a way of continuing to divert attention of what Riel's fight was about. He fought and died for justice and democracy for the Métis people and all Aboriginal peoples." The complaint is supported by the Metis National Council (MNC), the national representative body for the Metis people of Canada. Gerald Morin, President of the MNC said, "For the Metis Nation the debate on Louis Riel's place as a father of confederation and as a victim of one of the great travesties in Canadian justice is closed. To re-open those wounds in a manner which ignores historical accuracy and journalistic integrity is disrespect at the highest level." The MNO has also written to the CBC Ombudsman and has asked to appear before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Robert McDonald |