By Gazette Staff
March 16th, 2026
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t the suit that got him fired for a rant that went above and beyond what was seen as acceptable.
Last week Conservative MP Andrew Lawton, an avid convoy chronicler, proposed honouring Cherry with the Order of Canada.
He wrote: “For decades, Don Cherry has celebrated hockey, honoured veterans, and said what millions think — without apology.” CPC leader Pierre Poilievre approved, writing:
“Don Cherry embodies what it means to be a proud Canadian.” And Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, jumped on board.
Eighty-five-year-old Don Cherry made what many people felt were racist remarks during his weekly Coach’s Corner segment as part of Hockey Night in Canada.
Cherry told long time co commentator Ron McLean, he rarely sees people wearing poppies anymore to honour veterans, appearing to take aims squarely at those he believes are new immigrants.
“Whatever it is, you love our way of life. You love our milk and honey. At least you can pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that.
“These guys pay for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price.”
McClain also facing backlash online for not saying anything in response, instead flashing him a quick thumbs up.
Many Canadians promptly took to social media to condemn Cherry’s comments as racist and call for his firing. Sportsnet, which produces Hockey Night in Canada, has apologized, saying in a statement, “Don’s discriminatory comments are offensive and they do not represent our values and what we stand for as a network.”
Sports writer Shereen Ahmed says Cherry’s comments took a personal turn when he said, “You people”, she adds “his narrative that those who served our country were all white is not only historically inaccurate, but an insult to the thousands of veterans and their families. Cherry’s comments should start a deeper conversation about systems of racism that exist in Canada and in hockey. ”
“That Don Cherry gets to sit there and opine about how we remember vets is horrible to me. I mean, this is a man who’s never served.
After Cherry’s comments, even the Canadian Armed Forces tweeted a reminder about the important contributions and sacrifices soldiers of color have made to Canada’s military. It says they fought to fight for Canada. They fought for the chance to give their lives for Canada. They fought for your right to choose. They are US.
CBC, which broadcasts Hockey Night in Canada in a sub-licensing deal with Rogers, said in part in a statement that it “has no purview over any editorial choice of commentators, or what they say.
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sounds like you disagree with this suggested nomination.
Is your issue here what Don Cherry said, or how he said it? Those are two very different conversations. If the concern is tone, say that. But if you’re disputing the substance of his comments, it would be helpful to explain why.
Stop with labelling anything remotely critical racist. Has nothing to do with race. Just old fashioned honest truth from Don Cherry. As the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants post WW2 I appreciate the right way to being allowed the privilege of immigrating and assimilating into Canada, and respecting and agreeing with our Canadian values while nourishing the ethnic culture and traditions of the immigrant. The Canadian core values and laws must be held above all including the honouring of our veterans. My parents had to prove they had secured employment before being allowed in. My father always said Canada was the best country in the world…
What is the ratio of persons of colour to whites that served in both World Wars from Canada
…I would venture many more whites …
the comment does not encompass the present demographic of color …their increased nos benefit nonetheless
Grapes was insensitive saying ‘you people’ …an apology would have sufficed
Typical left view!