The Ontaryan: 05/15/07

Here we go again....

Canadian politicians will stop at NOTHING to force multiculturalism on The Majorty.

City council's only visible minority won his bid yesterday to have city hall review the diversity of its workforce -- but only after one of his supporters was accused of insulting minorities.

Coun. Harold Usher was taken aback when his proposal, which cited the low percentage of visible minorities in anything but the lower echelons of the civic work force, was condemned by a fellow councillor.

Coun. Paul Van Meerbergen dismissed the move as preferential treatment based on race.

"I consider this an affront to visible minorities . . . It's these types of policies that belong on the scrap heap of left-wing political ideology," Van Meerbergen said.

[...]

"It's done without artificial political constructs. It's done on merit -- not skin colour," Van Meerbergen said.

Usher ignored his statements, saying, "Some comments don't deserve a response."
[...]
Controller Gina Barber said council could lead the way by considering diversity when appointing people to boards and commissions.

"I hope we'll take this to heart," Barber said.

Others were concerned the debate about Usher's proposal would leave some with a belief that neither the city nor city hall welcomes minorities.

Leading that charge was Controller Gord Hume, who asked staff to document policies and initiatives already in place to encourage a diverse workforce.

[...]