Corn maze apology totally unnecessary

BY JOHN MATHER

A couple of new items popped up on the local CTV feed this week and subsequently spread to other news outlets.

The first was stating the annual corn maze in southwest Edmonton was ready to open for another season. This will mark the maze’s 23 years of operation and it will run until October.

The corn maze owners always put a different design into the maze and this year it marks the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

And, among other attractions at the maze there are farm animals, jumping pillows, hay bales, sunflowers that should bloom fairly soon and, of course, pumpkins come the fall.

In other words a harmless family attraction proving fun for young and old as they make their way through more than 5 km of twists and turns.

So why did the owner-operater Jesse Kraay have to apologize for the theme of this year’s maze just days later?

The owners posted the apology on Facebook saying, “At the time of creating the design, our intention was not to overlook or downplay the concerns associated with the RCMP.

“We recognize that our approach did not adequately take into account the hurt and harm that the RCMP’s history has caused various communities including indigenous peoples and people of colour.”

So wokism has now reached into private business having to apologize prior to the business even opening for the year.

What happened here?

Did individuals complain? Did groups of indigenous people or groups of people of colour threatened to blockade the maze?

The owner didn’t say what prompted the apology.

Now there are serious kernels of truth that the RCMP isn’t perfect.

In reality, how many bureaucratic businesses whether government funded or private, are?

We only need look to the Federal government to find a myriad of examples of incompetence and stupidity? But does Trudeau ever change his modus operandi?

Of course not … he just apologizes.

In this case, with the maze, I really don’t think the owners have anything to apologize for.

The RCMP has served this country since it was formed. For the most part they have done an admirable job and have earned distinction world wide because of it.

To honour their 150 years is a very fitting tribute.

It’s unfortunate a business owner has caved to the demands of the woke, politically correct.

And it would appear that the support for the maze and its design on the Maze’s Facebook page supports this theory.

The maze is a fun family event. If the theme offends you, and you really must be desperate to be offended by a corn maze design, then just don’t go.

Let this small business owner get on with their seasonal project which has brought joy to many for years.

Previous maze themes have supported STARS, the Edmonton Elks, and the Edmonton Food Bank among others.

And the owners do post for suggestions for what theme to design into the maze.

As you wander through the head tall corn you can’t even tell what the maze design is. You have to view it from the air to see the design.

This is nothing but another example of the sad direction our society is taking, as everyone can be a victim and therefore curtail the enjoyment of others.

I’m not saying the RCMP is perfect. It’s been proven they aren’t.

But why take it out on a small business owner who’s crime is for trying to provide some seasonal enjoyment to the community.