Author: Bambi

New Brunswick now has an “independent” commissioner of systemic racism. Her name is Dr. Manju Varma.

According to CBC, Radio-Canada, and Turtle News, Dr. Varma is a “Multiculturalism expert” and she holds a PhD in “Anti-racist education” from the University of Toronto.

Varma also “leads the new office of Inclusion, Equity and Anti-Racism for the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA) since 2020, a federal government initiative aimed at fostering its internal corporate diversity and inclusiveness.”

As a reminder, our provincial government will finance the work of this commissioner (from our tax money) and it will cost us half of a million dollars, as per the media articles cited above and an earlier post by Bambi (shown further below):

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-appoints-commissioner-systemic-racism-1.6188229

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1826880/rapport-2022-racisme-varma-rapport

New Brunswick appoints independent commissioner on systemic racism

As reported by the CBC, Dr. Varma wrote in news release: “Having been an immigrant and having experienced racism growing up in this province, I personally know there is systemic racism here that must be addressed… “As I embark on this journey, I do so with an open mind and no preconceptions.”

According to CBC, “A public report is due by September 2022, with recommendations to address systemic racism in areas such as health care, education, social development, housing, employment and criminal justice. A total of $500,000 has been set aside, and Varma will have staff to assist in her work.” 

The French language counterpart of the CBC uses the following terms: “La commissaire aura comme responsabilité, entre autres, de mener une consultation publique sur la nature et les répercussions du racisme systémique à l’égard des nouveaux arrivants, des Autochtones, des Noirs, des personnes de couleur et d’autres groupes marginalisés au Nouveau-Brunswick ».

Of note, once again, we seem to already have the outcomes of the report by endorsing, without any evidence base, the (rather vague) trendy concept of “systemic racism”.

Five questions for Dr. Varma:

1. What is the field of “anti-racist education” (i.e. her PhD)? Bambi is curious.
2. What is “systemic racism”?
3. Could Dr. Varma be confusing the concepts of “racism” and “systemic racism”?
4. Isn’t the assumption of the existence of systemic racism in our province, before even investigating it, a “preconception” in itself?
5. Will Dr. Varma’s functions include also an interest in studying Acadians (the historical ethno-linguistic largest minority in NB)?

If the answer to the fifth question is positive, why wasn’t this mentioned in these media articles?

And, finally, a last question to our government:

6. Why?

Thank you.

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How do a $500K-position of a Commissioner and costs of his/her work on systemic racism, funded by our government, help “heal” the “community” of NB Indigenous citizens?

Bambi loves good news in life… this one is a HAPPY one for Canada: Welcome back to Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig :)!!

The news in English:

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/09/25/as-canada-frees-a-huawei-boss-china-lets-two-canadians-out-of-jail

The news in French:

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1827003/justin-trudeau-wanzhou-deux-michael-chine

Thanks to all those who contributed to make this happen.

Good for Ms. Meng Wanzhou to finally go back to her family too. However, Bambi cannot help not to wonder what deal our government struck with China (is it a coincidence that all this occurred post-elections?). Most importantly, how will Canada protect itself and its citizens from future ordeals like this one?

Regardless of the deal, it has been sad to see Canada being taken hostage of the Chinese diplomacy/Huawei conflict. Indeed, what a shame that these two innocent men were taken hostage like that and for such a long time (Bambi has older posts about them). Anyhow, now it is time to rejoice and to enjoy being with their loved ones. Bambi wishes them all the best in their reunion and adjustment to life back home! May they heal and may they find peace of mind with every passing day.

To conclude this post, Bambi will allow herself to offer these two businessmen a French song (subtitled in English) by Mr. George Moustaki. Bambi loves this song about one’s freedom, which is called “Ma liberté” . Home sweet home… Welcome back!

This post begins with news headlines about Lebanon that chill the blood. It ends with Mr. Enrico Macias’ beautiful song about Beirut.

If she may, Bambi would like to offer the song mentioned above to Judge Bitar without knowing him (thanking him for his courage), to the grieving families of the surrealistic Beirut port explosion, and to her friend Maya still healing (and undergoing surgeries!) since August 4, 2020.

They/we are ALL still waiting for accountability… even if it is in the Republic of impunity. Which one is worth waiting for patiently in Lebanon, justice… or Goddot?

Mr. Jean-Marc Khawam is a French intellectual. He is a comedian, a writer, an author, and now a podcastor. As you can notice yourself, he is an excellent interviewer!

Mr. Khawam’s Entredeux Podcast is described by his platform as a “debate and conversation podcast centered around freedom of opinion and expression. Experts talk expertly about their subject of expertise … with a pinch of salt and jokes”.

Of note, Mr. Khawam happens to be of Lebanese origins, like Bambi. In French, they talked about problems of political correctness at universities and about the vision of expatriates of the Western world.

Bambi was both delighted and honoured to be among the first guests of Entredeux Podcast (what an enriching chat!). She thanks Mr. Khawam for his invitation and kindness. She hopes you will enjoy listening to their 2-hour-long discussion and perhaps learn something new from it.

This being said, you may wish to listen to this French interview in the Youtube link shown below. This interview also appears (along with earlier media interviews or videos) on Rima Azar’s personal website:

I’m Rima, Associate Professor of Health Psychology

To conclude this post, whether you will enjoy listening to this interview or not, one thing is sure in Bambi’s mind: Mr. Khawam is full of both talent and humanity. Indeed, she highly recommends his podcast. Long life to Entredeux Podcast!

Congratulations to all those who won the federal elections across parties, including Mr. Trudeau himself. The latter (once again) lost his objective of a majority at a high cost for Canada, namely of CAD $612 million!

This being said, bravo to all those who had the courage to participate, but did not win despite their hard work.

Even if no one wanted those elections (but Mr. Trudeau et al.), it was refreshing to see democracy in action, despite any disappointment, joy, or indifference.

Bambi would like to thank all those who devoted their time with Elections Canada and made this democratic process happen.

To come back to Mr. Trudeau, we are still “stuck” with him in a minority government. Nothing seems to have changed in a major way, except that we are now collectively poorer (i.e., – CAD $612 million).

To conclude this post, since democracy spoke, here is a song from Bambi to Mr. Trudeau AND to those who contributed to keeping him in power for the third time. In his song, Mr. Julio Iglesias’ informs us that “he hasn’t changed“… and then he adds that “you haven’t changed either” (he means his lover). Well, when we re-enter OR decide to remain in a loving relationship, we have a responsibility in our (hopefully lucid) decision. Although there is no guarantee in life, we know that past performance is usually the best predictor of future ones. Bearing the latter in mind, may our federal politicians be as wise as they can be and best wishes to Canada!

Happy Birthday Dearest Maya!

Every day Bambi thanks God because you survived the surrealistic Beirut port explosion. Today more than ever. May your leg injury keep healing as surely and smoothly as possible. May this new year/decade be simply beautiful. Yes, you deserve the best in life, Maya!!

To make you smile, Bambi will offer you a birthday song meant for “Maya l’abeille” or “Maya, the bee” (“Maya, l’abeille” was known as “Zeina” in Lebanon, if you recall this cartoon from our childhood :)).

To try to make you smile again, Bambi will remind you that your birthday is special for Bambi’s spouse and her for another reason. Do you happen to remember why? This is a memory test for you :)… Mmm, OK, Bambi will make it easier on you: Well, it is the anniversary of their first kiss.

In Canada, in 2021, your birthday happens to be our federal elections day (mind you, this may not be as romantic as the story above :)).

To conclude this post, all the reasons are good to celebrate in life, especially friendships. Thank you for being Bambi’s faithful friend (and the daughter of the childhood friend of Bambi’s mom as well :)). Much love to you from not only Bambi, but also her entire family!

If Mr. Trudeau is re-elected in a majority government, which is VERY unlikely, Bambi would offer him the “Mabrouk” song , which is a Lebanese song meant to celebrate weddings, anniversaries, successes, happy events, etc. It is one of Bambi’s favourite songs in life because it is joyful and associated with happy memories.

Now, if Mr. Trudeau either loses OR even wins but with a minority government, Bambi would offer him a French kids’ vacation song that celebrates vacation on each day of the week. Why this song? Because, Mr. Trudeau could (and perhaps even should) resign if he wins a minority government. Indeed, even if he wins a minority government, he would have lost his personal/party political goal. He insisted on taking his country into an unnecessary election campaign (ahead of time) AND in the middle of a pandemic. Why? Perhaps you get it. Bambi doesn’t yet.

Regardless of the song that Mr. Trudeau will receive (hoping he has a sense of humour like Bambi :)), may everyone keep on being safe and sound: him to begin with, all our candidates across parties, and all Canadians too (those who already voted in person or by mail, those who will vote tomorrow, and those who lost hope in politics and stopped voting).

As they say: Governments come and go, but countries stay. All the best to Canada!

What an outstanding job!

Thank you Uptin for your documentary on Lebanon.

Bambi was moved by your video and learned much from the wise words of the people you have interviewed.

Please keep up the great work!

Bambi appreciates Federal Minister Mélanie Jolie. She finds that she became even more competent with the years. However, lately and with all due respect, this politician made a comment that was ridiculously exaggerated to the point of sounding funny.

Indeed, Ms. Jolie commented on Mr. François Legault’s public statement following the fiasco of the English debate (i.e., the moderator’s loaded question to Mr. Blanchet, which was endorsed by the consortium of “independent” journalists). As a reminder, none of the politicians participating in the debate rejected the attack on Québec’s democratically voted bills on the protection of the French language and on the state’s secularism. Indeed, the only politician who made a quick comment about this on his Twitter account was Mr. Maxime Bernier (who was excluded from the debates).

Anyhow, Mr. Legault made a public statement the following day in which he expressed the disappointment of Québeckers (tired of being “bashed”) and to defend the values of Québec. In the Q/A period, he allowed himself to invite Québeckers to think twice before voting. Bambi was happy to see Mr. Legault having a spine by publicly refusing the “systemic” disrespect of Québec (as per her earlier post, shown at the end of this post).

In relation to this story, and as reported by Radio-Canada, Ms. Jolie later made it sound as if Mr. Legault was telling women how to vote by saying: “You know? Our grand-mothers fought for the right to vote. They also fought during the Quiet Revolution in order to have the right to think for themselves” (https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1823513/joly-legault-vote-conservateur).

Bearing Ms. Jolie’s comment in mind, Bambi has a question for her now: Will she say the same about Mr. Obama (who, as a reminder, is American and not Canadian, like Mr. Legault)? Indeed, like in the last electoral campaign, Mr. Obama allowed himself to interfere in our elections. Our media (favourable to Mr. Trudeau) are all relaying his statement.

To conclude this post, Bambi has the utmost respect for Mr. Obama, perhaps even more so lately with his wise public comment about “the dangers of cancel culture” (https://thehill.com/homenews/557317-obama-warns-of-dangers-of-cancel-culture-going-overboard). Mind you, Bambi would have asked the same question to Ms. Jolie, had it been Mr. Trump or Mr. Biden who interfered in our elections (https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/federal-election-2021/obama-wishes-friend-justin-trudeau-the-best-in-the-upcoming-election-1.5588186).

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If lebanon had had a leader to defend its values and interests, as Mr. Legault did for Québec, there might not have been a civil war or a political deadlock. Similarly, had Canada had had such leaders, the latter would have perhaps better resisted to wokeism or political correctness