Ottawa – A push from within the Conservative Party of Canada to nominate controversial former hockey commentator Don Cherry to the Order of Canada is facing internal division and external criticism, highlighting deep-seated tensions over issues of inclusivity and historical accountability. The move, spearheaded by party leader Pierre Poilievre, has prompted a scramble for justification from Conservative representatives, particularly in Quebec, given Cherry’s history of inflammatory remarks.
The debate centers on Cherry’s decades-long career as a public figure, marked by both widespread popularity and repeated accusations of racism, xenophobia, and divisive rhetoric. Whereas supporters emphasize his perceived patriotism and support for veterans, critics point to a pattern of denigrating comments targeting francophones, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, and women. The nomination has ignited a national conversation about who deserves Canada’s highest civilian honour and what values it should represent.
Pierre Paul-Hus, the Conservative lieutenant for Quebec, struggled to defend the party’s position on Thursday, acknowledging the controversy surrounding Cherry while attempting to highlight a perceived positive aspect. “If you look at it from the perspective of finding something positive about Don Cherry, for me, as a veteran, Don Cherry has always been on the side of veterans. Always,” Paul-Hus stated, as reported by Radio-Canada. He too referenced Cherry’s on-air acknowledgement of the tragic death of a 12-year-classic boy in Trois-Rivières due to a hockey net collapse.
However, this attempt at mitigation has done little to quell the criticism. Don Cherry, who hosted the popular “Coach’s Corner” segment on Hockey Night in Canada for 39 years, has a well-documented history of making disparaging remarks. These include describing Quebecers as “crybabies,” referring to Indigenous people with derogatory terms, and expressing skepticism about climate change, among other controversial statements. The Conservative Party has launched a petition supporting his nomination, praising his “frank and direct style” and claiming it resonates with millions of Canadians, a petition shared by Poilievre who stated Cherry “embodies what it means to be a proud Canadian” (MSN).
Internal Divisions Within the Conservative Caucus
The Conservative caucus is not unified in its support for Cherry’s nomination. Joël Godin, a Conservative MP and official languages critic, expressed “serious doubts” about the initiative, characterizing it as stemming from individual MPs rather than a coordinated party effort. Conversely, Gabriel Hardy, another Conservative MP, defended Cherry, stating he “did great things” and is “well-loved,” downplaying his controversial statements as past errors. Eric Lefebvre, a Conservative MP for Richmond—Arthabaska, publicly stated on Facebook that while the Order of Canada should recognize individuals embodying values of inclusion and respect, Cherry’s past comments have been divisive and announced he would not support the nomination.
The Bloc Québécois has been particularly vocal in its opposition. Party leader Yves-François Blanchet remarked that those who lament the underrepresentation of Quebecers on Canadian national teams are likely the same individuals who admire Don Cherry. “He’s not my buddy,” Blanchet said, adding that few Quebecers, and likely no Bloc members, hold Cherry in high regard.
Government Response and the Order of Canada Process
The Minister of Canadian Heritage, Marc Miller, expressed his displeasure with the nomination, referencing Cherry’s “racist and xenophobic” comments and noting his own family’s Swedish heritage. The Order of Canada, established in 1967, recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community, and service to the nation. The Governor General, on the recommendation of an independent advisory council, makes the final appointments. The process involves a rigorous review of nominations based on criteria of merit, service, and impact.
Cherry was dismissed from his position at Hockey Night in Canada in 2019 following comments widely considered racist towards immigrants (Radio-Canada). His past remarks have included disparaging comments about European and French-Canadian players, as well as negative portrayals of women in sports journalism.
The Conservative Party’s decision to actively promote Cherry’s nomination raises questions about its commitment to inclusivity and its strategic calculations in appealing to different segments of the Canadian electorate. The coming weeks will likely see continued debate and scrutiny as the Order of Canada advisory council considers the nomination and weighs the competing arguments for and against recognizing Cherry’s contributions.
The nomination now rests with the independent advisory council for the Order of Canada, who will assess Cherry’s record against the established criteria. The council’s recommendation will then be submitted to the Governor General for a final decision. The outcome of this process will undoubtedly have implications for the Conservative Party’s image and its ability to connect with diverse communities across Canada. What are your thoughts on this controversial nomination? Share your opinions in the comments below.
