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Senator fires back at U.S. family upset with seal hunt
CBC News Viewpoint | March 2006
 Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette says Americans are in no position to criticize the Canadian seal hunt. (CP Photo/Fred Chartrand)
The McLellan family had written to Canadian senators to say they cancelled a vacation in Canada because of the hunt, which they called "horrible" and "inhumane," Montreal's La Presse reports.
In her response, Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette said that what she finds horrible is "the daily massacre of innocent people in Iraq, the execution of prisoners – mainly blacks – in American prisons, the massive sale of handguns to Americans, the destabilization of the entire world by the American government's aggressive foreign policy, etc."
She said Americans are not in a position to criticize others. "They must start to look at their own behaviour, the permanent heightening of the planet's insecurity since the election of Bush," she told La Presse.
In their letter, the McLellans said they love Canada and have Canadian ancestors but cancelled a trip to Canada last year because of the seal hunt and will scrap plans for one this year if the spring hunt goes ahead, La Presse said.
Your letters:
I couldn't agree more with the Senator. Why do we as Canadians have to sugar coat everything so that we don't offend anybody?
There is this misconception that offending our biggest trade partner to the south will have a negative impact on the future of our country.
I say good on you senator. We should stand firm on many more issues and I wish that this example can be one that hits home for all the spineless impostors sitting in parliament that would wait for majority agreement prior to determining an opinion on the matter.
We are neither saints, nor puppets.
The only unfortunate part of all this is that the people that needed to have it driven home are a family from Texas, not Minnesota.
—Rob Knowles | Kelowna, B.C.
I just want to say to Senator Hervieux-Payette, that I am so happy to have a Senator like her.
Why do we have to be afraid to express our opinion on any matters?
She is a Canadian Senator, but she is a Canadian Citizen also. Thank you Senator for raising your voice.
—Salvador Lopez | Winnipeg
The Senator was absolutely right, yet absolutely wrong all at the same time. If this was a person associated with the U.S. government complaining about the seal hunt or someone we knew to be a war or gun advocate I would certainly say the comments were warranted.
However, you cannot simply attack the entire U.S. citizenry for not moving when the invasion of Iraq began. Many of the same kinds of people who are anti-seal hunt may very well be anti-war, for gun control and oppose the systemic oppression of Blacks in the U.S.
Her comments are therefore completely valid and should be thrown away just because of where she was born.
—Antoine Wood | Ottawa
I believe the Senator was rude and disrespectful. She should be asked to resign. I do not want to have people like her speaking for Canadians. I deplore the seal hunt and want it to end.
We have no right to judge other nations while we are capable of such savage brutality of defenseless animals at home. I side with the American family and apologize to them for Senator Hervieux-Payette's ignorance and lack of class.
—Marcela Donato | Toronto
Kudos to Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette. Finally someone in Canadian politics has a backbone. I support her 100%. The seal hunt is an easy target for animal rights activists. I would like to see them take on the American Beef industry, or try and stop the slaughter of cute little lambs. To powerful an industry. Americans should clean up their own act before condemning others.
This senator has made me proud to be Canadian.
—Patricia Wood | Oakville, Ont.
It seems Senator Payette has jumped on the bandwagon of anti-Americanism. With this recent diatribe it is clear she is reacting in irrational anger. We do not need to show the world more of our Canadian self-righteousness and defensiveness when criticized.
—Dan Dwyer | Stouffville, Ont.
Bravo Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette, not everyone agrees with hunting seals or hunting in general but those who wish to speak up should look within their own country before being critical of others.
Americans have much to look at within their own borders including their avid desire to hunt animals in their own country and that of others.
—Frank Lahti | London, Ont.
Good Job Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette!
For saying what needed to be said,
for saying what most politicians would be afraid to say,
and for saying the same thing that is on the minds of Canadians and people around the world, that the U.S. needs to begin criticizing its own policies and actions, and stop criticizing the actions of the rest of the world.
—Jeff Zed
The Senator was right on in her lambasting of the Bush administration. I just wish that the term "American" could be sseparatedfrom the what the current (temporary) administration is doing in the world.
I also agree that seal hunting is an ancient practise that has seen its days and need to end.
Has anyone thought that its possible the McLellan's agree with the Senator?
—H. Moore | Denver
If Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette was paying attention, she'd realize
the McLellan family most likely AGREES with her about the Iraq fiasco.
Liberal animal rights folks here in the states are more than llikelyvery
anti-war and anti-George W. Bush.
Too bad she instead decided to take a cheap shot at Americans.
Stick to the topic at hand Senator.
—M Harvey
I agree with the Senator one hundred percent. She has said all that needs to be said. I have explained to my 12-year old son about the ban on the killing of seal pups, and that the seal population, unchecked, will affect the ecological balance. I have also explained that the hunting now follows humane guidelines, and that it is a vital part of the compromised east coast economy.
I also deem the present government of the USA as illegally elected, and to be conducting illegal activities and atrocities both within its borders and beyond. The Senator has conducted herself with thoughtfulness and honesty.
—Rita Lynham | Etobicoke, Ont.
I believe the Senator was rude and disrespectful. She should be asked to resign. I do not want to have people like her speaking for Canadians. I deplore the seal hunt and want it to end.
We have no right to judge other nations while we are capable of such savage brutality of defenseless animals at home.
I side with the American family and apologize to them for Senator Hervieux-Payette's ignorance and lack of class.
—Marcela Donato | Toronto
An impressive display of pure guts! I'm proud to say I'm from the same country as this brave senator. Good job!
—Paul Walsh
I agree that criticizing Canada's seal hunt policy is a little uninformed, but the way Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette responded was equally ignorant.
Senator Payette's response was bordering on slander. The U.S. government is obviously not going around indiscriminately killing Iraqi men, women and children. It is just unfair to say that the innocents who are caught in some of the cross fire over there are intentionally targeted. It is obvious that terrorists and others with bad ideologies do this, not the U.S. military.
As far as blacks being killed in prisons: The American people have codes and a system that they can appeal to for change, though not without struggle some times. There was no such code or system in Saddam's Iraq, or in many other unfortunate countries around the world.
It might have been more helpful for Senator Payette just to show the McLellans that the seal hunt is in fact humane in Canada.
—Rob Maclean | Windsor, Ont.
Sincerest congratulations to the Senator. Her correspondence with the American family was well said, and 100% accurate. I'm proud of her.
—John Vallillee | Fergus, Ont.
This Senator has used the seal hunt as an outlet for her venomous anti-American attitude. She should have stuck to defending the seal hunt. The Senator should be reprimanded for such statements.
—Karl Bjorkman | Atikokan, Ont.
Senator Herview-Payette's response to the McLellan family from Minnesota is more than conduct unbecoming of a Senator it is unbecoming of a Canadian and an embarrassment for all of Canada.
The family wrote to Canada expressing a concern about the killing of seals. In return, the Senator's response commits several embarrassing errors of critical thought and diplomacy.
First, she twists the issue to make her personal view on various US policies known. Any reasonable person can see there is no logical connection between the family's concern for killing seals in Canada and the U.S. led war in Iraq. Then she over generalizes about the beliefs and actions of all Americans. Surely the Senator must know that all the millions of people in the United States are not exact clones of each other and they do not think, act and hold all the exact same values and beliefs.
Thirdly, she stereotypes the American people as war mongering and death thirsty killers. Again where is her logic connecting that stereotype of Americans, their policies and judicial system to the family's concern over the killing of seals in Canada?
The Senator and our Prime Minister must apologize to Canadians and Americans for these comments. Failing that, I offer an apology to the McLellan family and the rest of the American people on behalf of being a Canadian. Please don't take the Senator's behaviour as that of every Canadian. I think the world could use a lot more empathy and understanding between people at all levels.
—Mark Hall |Jaffray, B.C.
Just when we were getting used to life without Carolyn Parrish, another anti-American bigot surfaces. The American are certainly not above reproach, however, her response is so far removed from the subject matter of the McLellan's letter, it's obvious that she harbours a great deal of resentment towards American society in general.
How Liberal of her. Once again, our nation has been embarrassed at the hands of the Liberal's "anti-American wing".
As for her comments on the death of Iraqis since the American invasion, the vast majority of casualties have come at the hands of fellow citizens through suicide bombings and religious based executions.
—Bruce Robertson | Calgary
I agree with what the Senator wrote to the American family. There is no anti-American sentiment in what she wrote - she spoke true facts.
We have been friends with the United States for years but don't have to agree with everything they say or do. In other words just let us agree to disagree on matters. More people in our country should stand up for our country and show their patriotism instead of sitting back.
—Ross Savage
I have to say "touché." She was absolutely correct to put the critique by my fellow Americans of the Canadian seal hunt in the context of how the United States treats other living beings, in this case human, including the thousands upon thousands we have killed and maimed in Iraq.
It is too easy for us to criticize others and remain oblivious to our own faults. It may make us feel virtuous to stand up for what may be right when it costs us nothing, but in the United States we have a lot of serious, collective soul searching to do; our payment for any right to claim virtue is long overdue.
I hope the McLellans are as critical of our own "horrible" and "inhumane" behavior as they are of what they perceive as Canada's. Perhaps, as well as changing their travel plans to Canada, they are also withholding payment of their taxes to the U.S. military, or otherwise actively organizing against our own inhumanity.
Senator Hervieux-Payette's letter to the McLellans, as reported in your article, was hard-hitting, but it was both respectful and honorable. Her analysis was thought-provoking. As an American living south of your border, I thank her.
—Peter Chase | Dayton, Ohio
Senator Hervieux-Payette has stood up and expressed the views of
millions and for that I am truly grateful. She has a right to express
her views and I will be more than disappointed in the next few days as
she will most likely be reprimanded by her party.
The seal hunt is one
of Canada's oldest cultural practices, it is a necessity. Senator
Herviux-Payette has called on our southern neighbours to decide which
is more important: the lives of seals, or the lives of the citizens of
Iraq, Black persons in prisons, Black persons stranded on roof tops in
the wake of hurricane Katrina or people being shot daily by handguns
sold to Americans.
Thank You Senator Hervieux-Payette for doing a great
service to your country.
—Steve Worth
Although Senator Payette is correct in her views, she must understand there are more understanding ways of presenting them, especially to a family that is simply stating their viewpoint or case.
It is easy to present a positive spin on such issues without attacking every American. Focus on native ways of life, supply and demand for the product (in America as well!), the economy. The reality is people object to the seal hunt because they are such cute animals. Would they be concerned of the slaughter of wart hogs?!
—Jim Henderson
I feel the Senator's choice of words were inappropriate for a person of her position. Her comments were mean spirited and displayed a total lack of respect for a country and it's people who are both our neighbours and our friends.
We have many social ills here at home that the Senator could spend her time and energies on improving, and let those who wish to demonstrate their freedom of expression do so.
—John H | Abbotsford
I know that I speak for my family
and friends when I say that she has eloquently expressed the sentiments
of many Canadians, particularly on this day when we hear that the
American government still intends to invoke the totally insane notion
of pre-emptive strike.
While we all have humanitarian concerns, and
we find the practice of slaughtering animals deplorable we also
recognize that you cannot deny the rights of our native/local
communities to sustain and support themselves. To force a cessation of
this practice in an abrupt manner will cause hardship, resentment and
is unacceptable.
It is of upmost importance that we continue to
speak our minds to support those dissident voices in the United States
who seem to be getting more faint everyday.
—Joanna Woloszczuk
Bravo! I couldn't agree more. While the seal hunt may not be the most politically correct of annual events, it's beyond the realm of reason for the U.S. to criticize other countries when its foreign and domestic policy ignores basic human rights and the rule of law.
The McLellans should fix their own country before they begin chastising others.
—Mark Ball | Toronto
While I understand the Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette's intentions, I do feel that her portion of the response involving American foreign and domestic policy was inappropriate.
Senator Hervieux-Payette's defence of the business of sealing is acceptable, but to take the offensive on perceived American injustice forms the basis of a bullying tactic. For all the Senator knows, the Maclellans could be equally offended by the very practices of which she speaks.
It reeks of juvenile name calling.
—Richard Little | Oromocto, N.B.
I think that the Senator's response is over-the top and not tact. Her response should have been limited to responding to the seal hunt itself not a diatribe on our views of American society.
Having said that, I do think that it is hypocritical of Americans telling us how to run our affairs in light of their own issues, those that the Senator referred to.
We can all be proud of living in Canada, a society that strives to be a just one.
—William Onate | Ottawa
Bravo to Senator Hervieux-Payette! Her words echo exactly how I feel about the actions of Americans. If they turned their efforts and finances toward peace-making rather than war-mongering, the world might be a much better place.
—Janet Fletcher | Mt. Uniacke, N.S.
I want to thank Senator Hervieux-Payette for reminding everyone why Senate
appointments for life is a good idea: It frees up Senators to speak their
minds, and say things that need to be said, unbound by considerations about
their future political careers or who will disagree. It is helpful to have
a counterweight to the short-term, calculating nature of electoral politics.
—Terry Johnson | Chatham, Ont.
Of course the senator has valid points, but I think there are better ways to express ones thoughts without attacking.
What do you get from an attack? A counter attack.
And are we a nation beyond reproach? I don`t think so.
Like mom use to say, "Its not what you say, but how you say it" I think the word is diplomacy.
The world is a large, complex and crazy place, it takes activism and time, sometimes generations to change our behavior. Lets keep evolving in a positive civilized manner.
—Tom Southcott | Milton Ont.
Good for her, we need more opposition to Bush’s “dictatorship”-after all his policy is pretty much the reason the whole world is so unstable.
He is like a schoolyard bully and the world is his playground.
—John Aubichon
Having worked in Northern Canada, I see that the majority of the
hunters at the fancy lodges up there are American hunters. Much of
their prey are wounded before they die... not a pleasant death.
Shooting a seal at close range is probably much more humane.
If the
McLellan's can show me that they send letters to their government
representatives opposing hunting in the U.S. then I'll shut up.
—Patrick McGowan | West Vancouver
The Senator should be congratulated on being so candid in responding to criticism regarding the seal hunt. It may not be as diplomatic as diplomacy may require, but the truth is the truth, whether it hurts or not.
—J Pottier
I, too, hate and deplore the killing of the seals. It is, however, going to continue, and it is not the place of well-meaning outsiders who will decide its end. In particular, those who support a leader who has not only broken international law. George Bush has more blood on his hands than any sealer.
—Sybil Adams | Keswick, Ont.
It is only fair that the Senator write only to the family which said something and not criticize U.S. for their internal and external polices.
—Raymond Durrani | Toronto, Ont.
I did not think I would ever thank a Senator, especially a Liberal, for doing anything constructive, but this response was fabulous and I hope it does get exposure south of the border.
I do not necessarily agree with the seal hunt either, but the supercilious attitude of "some" Americans, needs to be challenged.
—Bob Neal | Fonthill, Ont.
The Senator makes very good points that seem to be out of context with the initial argument.
People should appreciate other points of view as valid and then express their own positive points of view without being negative and critical. The path to peace may be attained with this simple start.
—Chris Mortimer | Wawa, Ont.
I think she has pointed out something many Americans have never considered. Maybe this family can now re-evaluate their own country's policy and it's record regarding humane issues before casting judgement on others, especially when all of their information is based upon propaganda.
—Duke Kelloway | Brookfield, N.L.
While I am neither a supporter of the Senate or Liberals in general, I must congratulate Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette for her defense of the Canadian seal hunt.
She is bang on in her admonishments to Americans in general, "to start to look at their own behavior" before they start to criticize others.
I see no difference between the seal hunt and the slaughter of calves for veal, cute and cuddly lamb for sunday dinner, pate from a French, force fed goose or, pheasant on an English dinner plate.
—Richard Murray | Picton, Ont.
I'm normally cautious about criticism of the United States, as painting all its citizens with a broad brush can be a dangerous task.
But in this situation (a family worried about the lives of seals when the U.S. is killing so many people each year) it seems very appropriate to point out the ludicrous hypocrisy.
Well done, Senator Hervieux-Payette.
— Richard | Winnipeg, MB
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