To suggest that I have been following this story with interest would be a mistake. I have actually followed it with utter astonishment!
It appears that certain UNBC faculty members along with some student body representatives are openly critical of the proposed appointment of James Moore, a UNBC alumnus, as incoming chancellor of the university. As far as I can tell, the criticism stems from the fact that Mr. Moore was a member of and cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's government.
I have been waiting for some indication of why Mr. Moore would be deemed incapable of measuring up to the role and responsibilities of the office. Nothing seems evident! Instead, what I see in the press is "he was a member of Stephen Harper's government" and as such should be classed as unfit by association.
I have known James Moore for 20 years; he stepped forward at the age of 19 to take on a key role in the 1997 federal campaign for our home constituency of Port Moody - Coquitlam.
Despite his relatively young age, I found him to be a dedicated, passionate and tireless worker and one of the most capable people I have ever met. Aren't these the qualities people would find desirable in their new chancellor?
In the 2000 federal election, James earned the nomination as official candidate for his riding and won in five consecutive federal elections.
Should we ignore the fact that he served as Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, that he was Secretary of State for Official Languages, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics before becoming Canada's Industry Minister?
The latter appointment made him the youngest cabinet minister in British Columbia's history and the fourth youngest in Canadian history.
Should we instead focus solely on the fact that he was a member of Stephen Harper's government?
It's common knowledge that Mr. Harper controlled the party, cabinet and caucus with an iron hand. Stephen Harper and James Moore didn't always agree on every issue and James is on record as having voted against his leader on some important issues such as same-sex marriage.
Last time I looked, Stephen Harper wasn't being proposed as UNBC Chancellor, but Harper's record and policies are what's being debated as evidence of Mr. Moore's worthiness.
Open discussion and the expression of opinions is a healthy thing.
When it degrades into blind discrimination of a person based on who they worked with in the past, it is no longer rational. Perhaps those opposing his appointment think in a similar fashion to that demonstrated by Donald Trump.
If you tar all members of a specific group with the same brush, it makes life easier because you no longer have to think.
Gerry Ryan
Summerland
