Betty Granger
Encyclopedia
Betty Granger is a former school trustee in Winnipeg
, Manitoba
, Canada
. During the 2000 federal election
, her comments about Asian immigration to Canada provoked a national political controversy.
Granger was 57 years old at the time of the election, and had served for almost ten years as a school trustee. She already known as a prominent figure in Winnipeg, and had taken part in a civic-action protest against plans to restructure traffic policies for the River Heights region in 1994. Granger, and others, argued that the city's plans would lead to congestion, and create chaos for local businesses (Winnipeg Free March, 24 March 1994).
During her time on the Winnipeg school board, Granger was criticized on two separate occasions for allegedly making insensitive remarks about homosexuals and racial minorities. Granger disputed the accusations in both instances.
In 1993, fellow Winnipeg school trustee Bill Sanderson accused her of "intimating that all aboriginal peoples are thieves" following a private conversation (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 July 1993). Sanderson, who is aboriginal, informed Granger that he had purchased a computer from his nephew; Granger responded by saying that it was likely stolen. Granger responded to the controversy by saying she had done nothing to offend, and demanded that Sanderson apologize for his accusation (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 September 1993).
In 1996, the Winnipeg Free Press quoted Granger as saying that students in one particular class were probably performing poorly because they believed their teacher to be gay. She was quoted as saying, "This man is a flamboyant homosexual. He's so effeminate, (students are) put off. The first day of school, this fellow showed up in a bright pink muscle shirt." (Winnipeg Free Press, 14 December 1996) Granger denied making this statement. At a subsequent closed-session meeting of the school board, she moved a motion reaffirming the board's commitment to human rights and non-discrimination (Winnipeg Free Press, 19 December 1996).
A similar controversy arose during the 2000 campaign, although with larger implications. Granger was widely criticized for remarks that she made to University of Winnipeg
students concerning an "Asian invasion". She was quoted as saying that "Canadian students can't get into some of our university programs in Vancouver and Victoria" because of an influx of Asian students, and made reference to "a well-monied population buying up blocks and blocks of real estate" in British Columbia
(Broadcast News, 18 November 2000). Concerning a recent influx of refugees from Hong Kong
, she was quoted as saying "There was a realization that what was coming off these boats was not the best clientele you would want for this country."http://www.nologo.org/newsite/detaild.php?ID=128
Granger later offered a formal apology, saying, "I apologize for my remarks and any misunderstandings made at the University of Winnipeg. I am on record for increased immigration into Manitoba and my community". (Winnipeg Free Press, 19 November 2000). Granger suspended her campaign shortly after making the comments, although her name remained on the ballot (Canadian Press, 20 November 2000). She also claimed she had been pressured to withdraw by the office of party leader Stockwell Day
, Manitoba campaign chair Clayton Manness
and others (Canadian Press, 20 November 2000).
She received 3,210 votes (8.53%) in the election, finishing fourth against Liberal
candidate Anita Neville
. After the election, she was censured by the Winnipeg School Board for her comments. Granger herself voted for the censure motion, and acknowledged that her comments had been offensive. She also expressed regret that some people had congratulated her for her remarks. (Winnipeg Free Press, 5 December 2000)
Her brother, former Libertarian Party candidate Dennis Owens
, later claimed that Granger's remarks had been taken out of context, and noted that most of her speech had addressed the need for more immigration to Canada (Winnipeg Free Press, 14 February 2001).
Granger was hired as a campaign organizer for Stephen Harper
in 2002, as Harper successfully challenged Stockwell Day for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance (Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 2002).
In the immediate aftermath to the 2000 controversy, Granger announced that she would not seek re-election to the Winnipeg school board in 2002. She later reconsidered, and declared herself a candidate for re-election. She was defeated, finishing sixth in a district which elected three board members (Winnipeg Free Press, 24 October 2002). In 2004, she was appointed by the Winnipeg School Board for a two-year term on a committee overseeing the Children's Heritage Fund (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 November 2004).
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. During the 2000 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2000
The 2000 Canadian federal election was held on November 27, 2000, to elect 301 Members of Parliament of the Canadian House of Commons of the 37th Parliament of Canada....
, her comments about Asian immigration to Canada provoked a national political controversy.
Granger was 57 years old at the time of the election, and had served for almost ten years as a school trustee. She already known as a prominent figure in Winnipeg, and had taken part in a civic-action protest against plans to restructure traffic policies for the River Heights region in 1994. Granger, and others, argued that the city's plans would lead to congestion, and create chaos for local businesses (Winnipeg Free March, 24 March 1994).
During her time on the Winnipeg school board, Granger was criticized on two separate occasions for allegedly making insensitive remarks about homosexuals and racial minorities. Granger disputed the accusations in both instances.
In 1993, fellow Winnipeg school trustee Bill Sanderson accused her of "intimating that all aboriginal peoples are thieves" following a private conversation (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 July 1993). Sanderson, who is aboriginal, informed Granger that he had purchased a computer from his nephew; Granger responded by saying that it was likely stolen. Granger responded to the controversy by saying she had done nothing to offend, and demanded that Sanderson apologize for his accusation (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 September 1993).
In 1996, the Winnipeg Free Press quoted Granger as saying that students in one particular class were probably performing poorly because they believed their teacher to be gay. She was quoted as saying, "This man is a flamboyant homosexual. He's so effeminate, (students are) put off. The first day of school, this fellow showed up in a bright pink muscle shirt." (Winnipeg Free Press, 14 December 1996) Granger denied making this statement. At a subsequent closed-session meeting of the school board, she moved a motion reaffirming the board's commitment to human rights and non-discrimination (Winnipeg Free Press, 19 December 1996).
A similar controversy arose during the 2000 campaign, although with larger implications. Granger was widely criticized for remarks that she made to University of Winnipeg
University of Winnipeg
The University of Winnipeg is a public university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that offers undergraduate faculties of art, business and economics, education, science and theology as well as graduate programs. The U of W's founding colleges were Manitoba College and Wesley College, which merged...
students concerning an "Asian invasion". She was quoted as saying that "Canadian students can't get into some of our university programs in Vancouver and Victoria" because of an influx of Asian students, and made reference to "a well-monied population buying up blocks and blocks of real estate" in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
(Broadcast News, 18 November 2000). Concerning a recent influx of refugees from Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, she was quoted as saying "There was a realization that what was coming off these boats was not the best clientele you would want for this country."http://www.nologo.org/newsite/detaild.php?ID=128
Granger later offered a formal apology, saying, "I apologize for my remarks and any misunderstandings made at the University of Winnipeg. I am on record for increased immigration into Manitoba and my community". (Winnipeg Free Press, 19 November 2000). Granger suspended her campaign shortly after making the comments, although her name remained on the ballot (Canadian Press, 20 November 2000). She also claimed she had been pressured to withdraw by the office of party leader Stockwell Day
Stockwell Day
Stockwell Burt Day, Jr., PC, MP is a former Canadian politician, and a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. He is a former cabinet minister in Alberta, and a former leader of the Canadian Alliance. Day was MP for the riding of Okanagan—Coquihalla in British Columbia and the president of...
, Manitoba campaign chair Clayton Manness
Clayton Manness
Clayton Manness is a Manitoba politician. In 1983, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba....
and others (Canadian Press, 20 November 2000).
She received 3,210 votes (8.53%) in the election, finishing fourth against Liberal
Liberal Party of Canada
The Liberal Party of Canada , colloquially known as the Grits, is the oldest federally registered party in Canada. In the conventional political spectrum, the party sits between the centre and the centre-left. Historically the Liberal Party has positioned itself to the left of the Conservative...
candidate Anita Neville
Anita Neville
Anita Neville, MP was a Canadian politician. She was elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal in the general election of 2000, and was re-elected in 2004 and 2006, before being defeated in 2011.-Early life and career:...
. After the election, she was censured by the Winnipeg School Board for her comments. Granger herself voted for the censure motion, and acknowledged that her comments had been offensive. She also expressed regret that some people had congratulated her for her remarks. (Winnipeg Free Press, 5 December 2000)
Her brother, former Libertarian Party candidate Dennis Owens
Dennis Owens
Dennis Ray Owens is a former professional American football player who played nose tackle for five seasons for the New England Patriots....
, later claimed that Granger's remarks had been taken out of context, and noted that most of her speech had addressed the need for more immigration to Canada (Winnipeg Free Press, 14 February 2001).
Granger was hired as a campaign organizer for Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
in 2002, as Harper successfully challenged Stockwell Day for the leadership of the Canadian Alliance (Winnipeg Free Press, 15 January 2002).
In the immediate aftermath to the 2000 controversy, Granger announced that she would not seek re-election to the Winnipeg school board in 2002. She later reconsidered, and declared herself a candidate for re-election. She was defeated, finishing sixth in a district which elected three board members (Winnipeg Free Press, 24 October 2002). In 2004, she was appointed by the Winnipeg School Board for a two-year term on a committee overseeing the Children's Heritage Fund (Winnipeg Free Press, 30 November 2004).