Police investigate complaint that officer posted racist comments

'Overt racism' alleged in online comments following death of Inuk artist Annie Pootoogook

A complaint alleging that an Ottawa police officer posted racist comments about Indigenous people and the death of Inuk artist Annie Pootoogook is under investigation.

Gatineau, Que., resident Veldon Coburn made the complaint Sunday night after he noticed two comments on an Ottawa Citizen article about the death of Pootoogook, a celebrated Inuk artist whose body was found in the Rideau River last week.

The comments, which Coburn noted were "troubling for the overt racism of the text" were posted from the Facebook account of Chris Hrnchiar, who Coburn noted appeared to be an Ottawa police sergeant. Coburn called this "distressing."

As much as I hate racism of any sort, what I hate even more are people who believe racist should not be allowed to espouse their hatred through public commenting. Racist comments are obvious, and when you see them you can always comment on the comment... Without the freedom of speech both the racist comments and the anti-racist comments are eliminated. That accomplishes nothing.

The CBC does not allow commenting on the following topics:

Any story related to Indigenous People (including the above story)

Any story related to the bilingual language debate

Any story regarding Justin Trudeau (when the CBC assumes there will be negative commenting toward him)

There are other stories they pick and choose from as well where they disallow commenting.

It's sad to see a once respected news organization participating in the elimination of free speech, but I guess it's the new 'sunny ways' Trudeau promised to enact for the betterment of debate and discord. He may call it 'sunny ways', I prefer the more factual reference for such a policy... Censorship.

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