The time is out of joint: A Halloween Sermon
Act 1 - A Spectre is Haunting Canada Rest, rest, perturbèd spirit.—So, gentlemen, With all my love I do commend me to you, And what so poor a man as Hamlet is May do t’ express his love and friending to you, God willing, shall not lack. Let us go in together, And still your fingers on your lips, I pray. The time is out of joint. O cursèd spite That ever I was born to set it right! (Hamlet, 204-211) This week, in an appearance on Radio-Canada, former Prime Minister Jean Chretien commented on his role in overseeing the latter years of Canada’s genocidal residential school system, declaring “The problem was never mentioned when I was minister. Never.” The backlash was immediate and outraged. Academics, activists, and journalists, all pointed out that during Chretien’s tenure as Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the abuses of the system were well known in the department and well documented. Within a couple days, CBC news had uncovered a letter written by Chretien, respondi