Ridicule of new Celtic affairs post angers proponent
Former
member of committee that recommended a Celtic affairs minister applauds Gallant
government
By Vanessa Blanch, CBC News Posted: Jun 09, 2016 12:20 PM AT Last
Updated: Jun 09, 2016 12:20 PM AT
Lisa Harris is the province's first
Celtic Affairs minister. (Lisa Harris/Twitter)
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Danny Taylor of New
Maryland was thrilled when Premier Brian Gallant announced this week that a
Celtic affairs minister was being added to his cabinet and
Taylor fully expected the news would be met with celebration rather than
ridicule.
"I'm really disappointed
and angry and so are many people," Taylor told Information Morning
Fredericton.
"How this has taken a turn
from something that should have been very positive in this province
and turned it into a language issue and even a political battle ... it's really
shameful."
Some have called it an attempt by
Gallant to pander to cultural groups.
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Taylor was part of a Celtic affairs
committee formed in 2010 when the province's Irish Canadian Cultural
Association, Scottish Cultural Association and Welsh Association all got
together to commission a study which recommended a Celtic affairs
branch be established.
"It
was something that has been talked about for years and years and
years and finally the three groups came together and started talking
about what needed to be done in order to have that branch developed in
government."
Celtic
culture neglected
Taylor says 40 per cent of New
Brunswickers have a Celtic background and the heritage and culture of his
people is being lost.
"You hear about many other cultures constantly but
never do you hear about the Celts in this province and the contributions they
have made over the years." - Danny Taylor
He and his fellow committee members
hoped the added attention would mean more funding for research
and festivals, but he says it's not just about money.
"Money always comes into play
but it's not necessarily about money — it's about bringing
attention and the awareness of the culture here in the province,"
Taylor said.
"You hear about many other
cultures constantly but never do you hear about the Celts in this province and
the contributions they have made over the years."
Premier Brian Gallant said on
Monday the new position will allow "a co-ordinated
approach" to funding Irish, Scottish and Welsh festivals.
Celtic
people separate
Taylor argues the perception that
people with Celtic heritage can be included with the English people of New
Brunswick is incorrect and shows the need for more cultural education.
"We shouldn't be lumped into
that group. We're totally separate. Our heritage, our culture, our language is
totally different and that's not fair … it would be the same as taking First
Nations who predominantly speak English and lumping them in with the English —
that's not right."
Celtic Affairs - Danny Taylor
08:22
Taylor rejects the perception
Gallant appointed a Celtic affairs minister as a way to appease anglophones in
New Brunswick and is instead applauding the premier.
"Unfortunately it's got lost in
this political battle for language … this has been in the works long before
language has been an issue in this province and finally a government has
had the backbone to finally do something."
with files from Information Morning
Fredericton
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Errol Willis
I'll never understand as long as I
live why a government feels it is there job to keep an ethnic group's heritage
and culture alive on the taxpayer's money. I'm a first generation Canadian
whose parents are from the UK, and I see no need, in these dire times (as we
are constantly reminded by Gallant) to fund a full time position in hopes of
having a festival or two during our short summers.
Culture is learned through family, not festivals. That goes for French, English, Celts, indigenous people - whatever.
I do agree with the idea that this is pandering, plain and simple. How could anyone believe it isn't?
Culture is learned through family, not festivals. That goes for French, English, Celts, indigenous people - whatever.
I do agree with the idea that this is pandering, plain and simple. How could anyone believe it isn't?
8 8
hours ago 41 Likes 4 Dislikes
RolandGodin
@Errol Willis
That will also include the queen`s ethnic heritage group which have had privilege funding for centuries and that is one of the major cause of the public debt...eh.
That will also include the queen`s ethnic heritage group which have had privilege funding for centuries and that is one of the major cause of the public debt...eh.
133 minutes ago 0 Likes 0 Dislikes
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David Amos
@Errol Willis I Trust that a snobby
Brit would never understand why I am suing his Queen let alone understand why I
am greatly offended by your Heritage Minister who is just another snotty French
Librano lawyer from Quebec who is having her minions block my comments while I
am defending my Scottish Heritage within a very corrupt Crown Corporation's
website that has maliciously ignored its mandate with regards to my political
actions for 14 years N'esy Pas Prime Minister Trudeau "The Younger"
??? However your lawyers can bet dimes to dollars with the Queen's face on them
that I save the digital proof that this comment once existed EH?
20 minutes ago 0 Likes 0 Dislikes
FreddyBeacher
Anyone who is mocking having a
Minister of Celtic Affairs should be equally mocking having a Minister for La
Francophonie.
http://www1.gnb.ca/legis/bios/58/bio-e.asp?IDNo=368&version=e&legisNO=58
They are equivalent.
http://www1.gnb.ca/legis/bios/58/bio-e.asp?IDNo=368&version=e&legisNO=58
They are equivalent.
8 hours ago 29 Likes 2 Dislikes
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