Journalists for the paper and politicians are among the people denouncing the article

While the article was taken down from the site, it was too late to take it out of the paper

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Vancouver Sun is under fire for an op-ed published in Saturday’s paper which many are condemning as racist and white nationalist.

1. What a complete pile of absolute garbage that op-ed is.

2. I have no idea why it was published. IMO it never should have been and is inexcusably wrong.

3. Rank-and-file journos don’t control op-eds, editors do.

4. Let’s not forget reporters/columnists here do great work daily https://t.co/I0d61LADIR — Rob Shaw (@robshaw_vansun) September 7, 2019



“Can social trust and diversity co-exist?” was published on the websites of the Vancouver Sun and The Province yesterday evening, quickly sparking a firestorm of criticism with many tweeting the editorial is irresponsible and not based on fact.

Both papers are owned by Postmedia.

Written by a political geography instructor at Mount Royal University, Mark Hecht, his opinion piece hinges on a study done by Galestone Institute — a controversial conservative think-thank — as he claims “a not insignificant proportion of Muslim immigrants have no intention of assimilating into any western society.”

The article also argues Canada should “say goodbye to diversity, tolerance and inclusion,” and that diversity erodes social trust and leaves citizens with, “a lot of arrogant people living in their countries with no intention of letting go of their previous cultures.”

Like my colleagues, I too, of course, am appalled at that racist op-ed that ran in the Sun. Feels terrible to think of how that kind of bullshit causes real harm to our readers and people in our community. — Dan Fumano (@fumano) September 7, 2019



Many condemned the article on Twitter, including politicians and even Vancouver Sun and The Province journalists. MLA for North Delta Ravi Kahlon tweeted that he was “sickened” by the article.

I read this oped that was posted last night. I was so angry that I promised myself I wouldn’t say anything till I slept on it. I can’t sleep!!! Given what I heard from communities this summer on anti-racism tour I am sickened that this hate is validated by the Vancouver Sun. pic.twitter.com/2U9CEbMiYF — Ravi kahlon (@KahlonRav) September 7, 2019

The backlash prompted an apology from the Editor-in-Chief for the Vancouver Sun and The Province Harold Munro, who tweeted that the article was published before he had a chance to read it.

I agree and apologize to everyone that this was published before I had a chance to read it. We’ve taken it offline.

– harold munro (@haroldmunro) September 7, 2019

While the op-ed was taken down online, Munro said it was too late to take it out of the print edition.