In the world of politics, some blunders are accidental, a stumble into trouble. Others are deliberate, a calculated risk. The recent push to award Don Cherry the Order of Canada falls squarely into the latter category – and it was a spectacular miscalculation.
Cherry, the former hockey broadcaster, is a figure who elicits strong reactions. He undeniably made watching hockey more vibrant, injecting a raw energy into the game. Like a familiar, unpredictable personality, he possessed a knack for saying the unexpected, though unlike some, his words rarely seemed motivated by malice.
He wasn’t afraid of the physical side of hockey, acknowledging that fights were part of the sport, and sometimes, even compelling to watch. But Cherry’s penchant for outspokenness often extended beyond the rink, landing him in hot water with controversial statements.
The debate over his 2019 dismissal from Hockey Night in Canada continues to this day. The catalyst? A remark directed at “you people,” widely interpreted as a reference to immigrants, questioning their appreciation for Canadian values unless they demonstrated it with a simple gesture like buying a poppy.
Prior offenses – disparaging comments about Europeans and female reporters – had already established a pattern of unforced errors. But it was the “you people” comment that ultimately led to his firing from Sportsnet, a career-defining moment of consequence.
Despite the fallout, Cherry retained a loyal following. He received the Order of Ontario, and continued to be a vocal, unapologetic presence. Then, Conservative MP Andrew Lawton ignited a firestorm by launching a petition to bestow upon Cherry the nation’s highest civilian honor.
The move was immediately endorsed by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who proclaimed Cherry embodied Canadian pride. However, the endorsement quickly fractured, with Poilievre’s Quebec lieutenant, Pierre Paul-Hus, denouncing the petition as a “bad idea” due to Cherry’s past remarks about Quebec and French Canadians.
The ensuing uproar consumed Canadian media, sparking a national conversation. The situation quickly spiraled into a chaotic spectacle, a testament to the sensitivity of the issue and the divisiveness of Cherry’s legacy.
The outcome, however, was predictable. The campaign, rather than bolstering Cherry’s case, effectively extinguished any remaining possibility of him receiving the Order of Canada. It wasn’t his past controversies that sealed his fate, but the ill-advised attempt to force the issue.
Ironically, Cherry may have, with time, been a deserving candidate. Seven years removed from the incident, his punishment might seem disproportionate to the offense. But Lawton’s public campaign irrevocably altered the landscape.
The key lies in understanding the unspoken rules surrounding the Order of Canada. As a former Governor-General once explained, a campaign for the honor is a fundamental misstep. It’s not an election; it’s a recognition bestowed upon those who demonstrate humility and quiet service.
The lesson, learned through experience, is simple: don’t campaign for the Order of Canada. It undermines the very principles of the award – humility, grace, and a quiet dedication to Canada. In attempting to win it for Cherry, the Conservatives inadvertently destroyed any chance he had.
Ultimately, one is left with a sense of sympathy for Don Cherry. He served his time, paid the price for his words. He may have even deserved the recognition. But the clumsy intervention of others ensured he would never receive it, a victim of a self-inflicted wound.
