Although technically she wasn't fired, (she offered her resignation, which was accepted), Rev. Sandra Tankard incurred the displeasure of both her local Legion and her Conservative MP, Greg Rickford:
The Royal Canadian Legion in Kenora, Ont., accepted the resignation of its chaplain on Monday, after some members and the local Conservative MP complained her remarks about Veterans Affairs and Afghanistan War veterans at a Remembrance Day service were too political.Here is the offending comment, a very small part of an eloquent speech Tankard gave during her Remembrance Day service:
During the Nov. 11 legion service, Rev. Sandra Tankard spoke out about concerns that veterans who fought in Afghanistan are not getting proper care, and then talked about cuts to Veterans Affairs.
Our Government has continued to cut funding to the Ministry of Veteran’s Affairs, including removing Service Offices.After the service,
Like many other members of the Royal Canadian Legion, I claim my right to dissent against this action, both with my voice and a letter to my MP and with the promise of my vote to the party that would restore that funding to the people and programs it has supported!
Tankard said local Conservative MP Greg Rickford approached her directly and expressed his "displeasure" about her remarks.Asked what others could learn from her experience, Rev Tankard observed, rather wryly and with some restraint,
"perhaps it is that the freedoms we have to speak are not necessarily as vibrant as they once were."Undoubtedly that is a sentiment Canadians from many walks of life would heartily concur with.
She shouldn't have resigned and they shouldn't have accepted it. Why is the Legion not supporting living veterans with lobby initiatives instead of just painting walls and putting up pictures. My father, my grandfather and three of my brothers (two served in WW11) were veterans and what good to them is the Legion anymore if it doesn't fight for freedom of speech and proper care for veterans.
ReplyDeleteI found myself puzzled by the Legion's response as well, Anon. Perhaps their complicity in government neglect of veterans is one of the reasons they rely on robust poppy sales for their programs?
DeleteRickford is far too full of himself. The Legion should be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteBeing too full of oneself seems to be a job requirement for representing the Conservatives, double nickel.
DeleteThe Legion has a spotty record on standing up for veterans. There's nothing new in this. It's a self-glorified beer parlour, brimming over with pomposity at least in my experience. She's right. Our freedom of speech is "not nearly as vibrant" as we might imagine. Unfortunately speech isn't the only freedom in distress these days.
ReplyDeleteThe Legion certainly seems to be failing its membership here, Mound. it would be interesting to know their justification for accepting Rev. Tankard's resignation.
DeleteI sent an email to them (Kenora legion) that I found on their website (contact us) and expressed my displeasure with this situation.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea, Anon. Thanks. I shall do the same.
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