Ew. This is icky in so many ways.
1. What’s the statement they’re trying to make? Our legislators eat seal meat at their exclusive, upscale restaurant–starting now, at most once a week–so the seal slaughter is at the heart of Canadian culture? Are we supposed to suddenly start believing that the slaughter is for meat, rather than for fur? If it’s about meat, then we shouldn’t be concerned about the EU ban on imported seal products–they weren’t a major consumer of seal meat, after all.
2. Are my taxes paying for this? Who runs this parliamentary restaurant?
3. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m uncomfortable with the picture here:
“The idea of serving seal came after Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean gnawed on a piece of raw seal heart during a northern visit last fall.”
Overwhelmingly white legislators see “quaint native practice,” and try to get their private chef to replicate it. See, there’s nothing wrong with cultural appropriation as long as it’s clumsy.
I feel gross.
Oh yes, and don’t forget they’re now promoting it for “oil”. Yes, we were running short of oil, fo sho.
*shakes head sadly*
I get to see Michaelle Jean tomorrow night. I wish I could give her a mouthful!
Canadian politicians may well be the most embarrassing in the world. And that’s saying a lot given they have so much competition, but they get away with it because we don’t get indignant like populations in other countries do. The seal hunt will only stop from the actions of outsiders just like last time.
Does anybody know exactly which MP’s participated in this disgrace, so that we can hold them responsible?