Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Newspaper Apologizes For Involving Liberal Joyce Murray In Controversy Over Ad

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jul, 2015 01:38 PM
  • Newspaper Apologizes For Involving Liberal Joyce Murray In Controversy Over Ad
OTTAWA — Liberal MP Joyce Murray is apologizing for a newspaper advertisement in which she appears to be feeding racial stereotypes about aboriginal people.
 
But the newspaper, in turn, is apologizing to Murray for running the ad without noticing it contained offensive content that had been written, without the Vancouver MP's knowledge, by one of its sales people.
 
The First Nations Drum, which bills itself as the country's largest aboriginal newspaper, ran the ad about three weeks ago.
 
It features a photograph of a smiling Murray alongside a congratulatory message to all 2015 aboriginal high school graduates.
 
The message concludes with the slogan: "Sobriety, education and hard work lead to success."
 
Murray says she was not aware of the ad and did not approve its content; nevertheless she is assuming full responsibility for it and offering her "most sincere apologies."
 
"I would like to apologize unreservedly for the deeply offensive language in this advertisement," Murray said in a statement posted Wednesday on her Facebook page.
 
But Rick Littlechild, the newspaper's general manager, said Murray has nothing to apologize for.
 
"We are responsible for it so we'll take the blame," Littlechild said in an interview.
 
"She shouldn't take any responsibility. I mean, we came up with the slogan, that wasn't her. She had nothing to do with it."
 
The paper sells ads based on themes — marking aboriginal day for instance, or congratulating aboriginal award winners or graduates. The text is written by its own sales team. Murray routinely buys three or four ads a year, Littlechild said, and there's never been a problem before.
 
Littlechild is upset that the paper's proof readers didn't notice the slogan on the Murray ad, which can be construed as feeding stereotypes. The paper intends to print an apology next week.
 
But Littlechild said he's even more upset that the controversy over the ad has rebounded on Murray, who he said has always been very supportive of aboriginal issues.
 
"This is the last person who would ever, ever deserve this," he said.
 
"If it was anyone else but her, I might not feel this way. But her of all people, it just kills me."
 
The paper's explanation did not appease Aboriginal Affairs Minister Bernard Valcourt. A spokesperson for the minister, Andrea Richer, said Murray's ad is "unacceptable and offensive and yet another example of why (Liberal Leader) Justin Trudeau and his team are just not ready to lead."
 
Richer called on aboriginal leader Jody Wilson-Raybould, a star Liberal candidate in Vancouver, to condemn the ad.

MORE National ARTICLES

Feds Look To Family Benefit Cheques, Infrastructure Spending To Boost Economy

OTTAWA — All but overlooked in the past week of troubling economic news was federal Finance Minister Joe Oliver's unexpected nod to government stimulus spending.

Feds Look To Family Benefit Cheques, Infrastructure Spending To Boost Economy

Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor

Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor
VANCOUVER — A northern British Columbia man who has been charged with terrorism-related offences had no links to the community, the town's mayor said Saturday.

Othman Ayed Hamdan, Fort St. John Man Charged With Terrorism Had No Links To Local Community: Mayor

First Indian NBA Player Satnam Singh Bhamara Makes Summer League Debut In Team's Defeat

India's first National Basketball Association (NBA) player Satnam Singh Bhamara made his Summer League debut for Dallas Mavericks against New Orleans in a match that saw his team go down 86-90.

First Indian NBA Player Satnam Singh Bhamara Makes Summer League Debut In Team's Defeat

Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region

Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region
MONTREAL — A collision between two vehicles Saturday night in southwest Quebec's Monteregie region has left three people dead and one seriously injured.

Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Car Crash In Quebec's Monteregie Region

Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session

Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session
VICTORIA — British Columbia's politicians are returning to the legislature to debate the details of an agreement that could pave the way for the largest private investment in the province's history — a proposed $36-billion liquefied natural gas export plant.

Liberals, NDP To Debate Proposed B.C. LNG Deal During Summer Legislative Session

Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy

Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy
OTTAWA — Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre touted the Conservative government's enhanced child care benefit as boost for the economy while warning Canadians should take heed of offshore financial chaos.

Employment Minister Pierre Poilievre Flogs Enhanced Child Care Benefit As Boost To The Economy