John Meloche, Pickering resident and president of one of its neighbourhood associations, made the following commentary available to us at www.szpin.ca The commentary is a criticism of words spoken by Councillor Linda Cook at a recent Council meeting, May 20, 2026. See COMMENTARYCOOK
This may be a tempest in a teapot. As far as I have seen, Councillor Cook is not a racist, bigot or malevolent in any way. The phrase she used, “Spoken like a true white settler,” was not intended as any kind of racial slur. I believe its intend was to capture a kind of attitude, though what that attitude is, I don’t know.
True white settlers
Did white settlers have a certain kind of attitude? Who are these ‘true white settlers’? Were they the French settlers of New France? Or were they the white settlers of Upper Canada? Or were just plain and simple ‘white settlers’ of early Canada? And did these settlers have a particular attitude? Racist? Anti-Indigenous people? Anti-French? Anti-Catholic? What was this attitude?
No matter. Whatever the phrase represents, use of the word ‘white’ smacks of racism as ‘black’ does for other people. People today try to steer away from such words, such phrasing as it suggests a racially bent frame of mind.
Rather than put words into Councillor Cook’s mouth and defend her or rationalize her thinking, it will be better to ask her what she meant. If she feels an apology is merited, let her make it. She is an intelligent, independently minded person who should speak for herself. We will publish what we receive.
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[The term “white settler” is not in and of itself a pejorative term – in fact – It’s just like saying “cis gendered.”]
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