08) FURLONG ABUSE ALLEGATIONS ROCK BRITISH COLUMBIA

By Kimball Cariou

     British Columbians appear sharply divided over allegations that the top organizer of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics lied about his past and abused Aboriginal children. The dispute raises critical questions about the role of journalists and the mass media in Canada today. Just as important, the case indicates that racism and sexism, and the extraordinary privilege granted to wealthy white males, remain powerful factors in our society.

     When the September 27 edition of Vancouver's free weekly Georgia Straight hit the streets, the uproar was immediate. Well-known journalist Laura Robinson wrote that Olympics CED John Furlong's 2011 memoir left out his early years in Canada. Furlong's book "Patriot Hearts" places his arrival from Ireland in 1974. That version omits Furlong's stint as an 18-year-old teacher at the Immaculata Catholic school in northern British Columbia, where several ex-students allege that he was verbally and physically abusive. A separate complaint of sexual assault was filed in July, and is under currently investigation by the RCMP.

     Robinson appears to have done her homework, gathering eight signed affidavits, and making repeated attempts to contact Furlong by email through his publisher for his side of the story.

     Furlong denies everything, except to admit that he had indeed first come to Canada in 1969. This period of his life was uneventful, he says, even though he married his wife at the time. He also launched legal actions against Robinson and the Straight, accusing her of not doing her job properly, and of conducting a vendetta against him. Even more startling, Furlong alleged that somebody told him the accusations would go away in return for cash. In the context of his statements, this appeared to implicate Robinson has begun a counter-suit, claimng defamation by Furlong.

     What can people make of these allegations and counter-charges?

     Some answers may come through the courts. Furlong is so far not replying to questions from reporters, even as more allegations emerge. But if the legal cases proceed, it seems that either Furlong or Robinson will be exposed as a liar.

     This is the point to put my own cards on the table. As the editor of People's Voice, working just blocks from key Olympic sites, I published many articles critical of the huge social and economic costs of the Winter Games. I wrote some of those stories myself, and I took part in activities to oppose the Games, starting with Vancouver's civic referendum on the 2010 bid. Along with others, I helped turn the Olympic Torch away from its planned route along Commercial Drive, and I marched with thousands of protesters during the opening ceremonies.

     That said, I also enjoyed the Winter Games. I was elated when the Canadian women's team won our first ice hockey gold medal since 1952, and when Sidney Crosby scored in overtime against the U.S. a couple of days later. I share with Laura Robinson a passion for sports, from neighbourhood soccer fields to the highest level of competition.

     I also profoundly admire her willingness to write about the men who dictated that women could not ski jump at the Vancouver Olympics. Furlong and his supporters seem stunned that a woman would dare to question such decisions by the rich and powerful. In fact, Furlong charges Robinson with "open contempt for the Olympic Games and male authority figures in sport", but I and many others cheer such contempt for patriarchy in sport and the rest of society.

     The vitriol directed against Robinson extends in other directions. Many of Furlong's backers appear outraged that former students have anything critical to say about the man. After all, "everybody knows that things were different back then"; supposedly violence by teachers against students was widespread and acceptable forty years ago. Others say worse things happened to Aboriginal children at many residential schools, so why pick on Furlong years later? Some simply dismiss the affidavits as lies, particularly those who have worked as colleagues with Furlong.

     In one form or another, such responses point to deep-rooted racist attitudes, no doubt unrecognized by some of Furlong's defenders. Anyone who has spoken to survivors of the residential schools realizes that it was extremely difficult, even impossible, for many Aboriginal people to come forward with their tragic stories. Those who airily dismiss the Furlong affidavits have no idea how much courage it takes to finally speak to a reporter about the past; in fact, such reactions show that Aboriginal people are still often stereotyped as liars or habitually lazy. The same racist and sexist stereotypes apply in reverse, implying that a wealthy white male would never lie about important matters.

     Robinson, along with Georgia Straight editor Charlie Smith, have brought a difficult story to the attention of the public. These are highly competent journalists, and the Straight has excellent lawyers. Furlong, on the other hand, appears to have hidden a controversial period of his life in Canada.

     Three years ago, the Supreme Court of Canada established the defence of "responsible communication on matters of public interest". If Furlong's lawsuit proceeds, the Straight and Robinson will have to prove that the story was a matter of public interest, that they made every effort to verify the published claims, and that they gave Furlong full opportunity to answer the claims. My money is on Robinson and Smith, although one should never underestimate the determination of the ruling class to protect its own.