Langevin Bridge: Unconventional Panel debates name change

Should Calgary city councilrename the Langevin Bridge because the man it was named after,Hector-Louis Langevin, was one of the architects of Canada'sresidential schoolsystem?

More than 600Calgariansthink so, and have signed anonlinepetition urging Calgary city council to do just that.

• Langevin Bridge petition requests name change over residential school link

• Truth And Reconciliation

And while everyone on this week'sUnconventional Panel agree the abuseaboriginal children endured inresidential schools was a hugetragedy, they were divided on the idea of wiping the nameLangevin from Calgary's history.

"I don't agree with making a fuss out of it,"saidlocal businessmanGeorgeBrookman."Denying history doesn't rewrite it,"

"I think as history changes,the way that we honour our history could also change,"saidMichelle Minke, founder and artistic director of Cowtown Opera.

"As well asthe metaphor of the bridge. You know,that we have to doa lot of work to get to the other side. It's a nice gesture ofhealing in our community."

ButCalgary engineer,RavinMoorthy, stands on Brookman's side of the bridge.

"George Washington was a slave owner. Thomas Jefferson was a slave owner. Andthese areconsideredgreat people in the history of the world. Do we go back and now rename the capital of the United Statessomething else?"

Moorthy says instead of signing a petition, Calgarians should be doing something tangible for the city's aboriginal community.

"I think it makes everyone feel good. 'Oh I did my part, I signed the petition.' But we have serious issues thatneed have to dealt with seriously," saidMoorthy.