Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to discuss the issue of racism, as the death of George Floyd has placed it front and centre in the news. When I look at what is happening, not just around the world but in Canada and the Northwest Territories, I am deeply disturbed at what people of colour are being subjected to. It is easy to think of this as an American problem, that Canada is somehow better or that we don't have this problem in the North. The truth is that, if you were to ask any person of colour in the territory, or even this room, whether they have been subjected to racism, the answer would almost certainly be, "Yes."
Mr. Speaker, racism takes many forms. It is not always outright or violent. It is often quiet and whispered, but what all forms have in common is that they are specifically directed at people because of the colour of their skin, their culture, or their nationality.
If we truly believe racism is wrong, then we must speak up against it: challenge people; speak up when we hear those so-called jokes and people laughing at them; speak up when we see these things being done at our workplace or in our departments that perpetuate it. It is not enough to see these things as wrong but then sit and stay silent. If we do nothing, then those with racist attitudes feel validated in their thinking and beliefs. This feeling of validation is what leads to some police officers knowing that they can, in broad daylight, with people watching, kill an innocent man or shoot an innocent woman and not face repercussions. It leads to ordinary citizens feeling they have the right to hunt a man down while he is out for a jog, shoot him multiple times, and it being a defensible action.
Mr. Speaker, my only grandchild is of mixed race. I do not want her or any other person of colour to face violence or prejudice because of the colour of their skin. I do not want people of colour to have to continue to fight for respect and equal treatment. Our responsibility is to be the stimulus of change so that fighting and protesting is no longer necessary. I know that, as long as I am alive, I will protect my granddaughter and those of colour against racism and the hatred it breeds. Thank you Mr. Speaker.