The nomination of controversial hockey commentator Don Cherry by prominent Conservative Party members has ignited a firestorm both within the party and in the wider political circle.
On March 5, Andrew Lawton, the MP for Elgin—St. Thomas—London South, wrote on social media he was nominating the 92-year-old former hockey commentator to receive the Order of Canada and urged all who supported the idea to sign a petition.
The suggestion received immediate political backlash, as Cherry is known for his anti-immigrant comments, as well as commentary against French-speaking Quebecers. He was fired in 2019 from Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast for
, inferring they are reticent to buy poppies and to support Canada’s veterans.
“You people that come here … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that. … These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada, these guys paid the biggest price,” he said in the Coach’s Corner segment of the broadcast.
In 2004, Cherry
against “Europeans and French guys” for wearing visors in a debate about whether to make the eye protection equipment mandatory.
In his statement, Lawton referred to Cherry’s support of veterans as one of the reasons he should get the award.
“For decades, Don Cherry has celebrated hockey, honoured veterans, and said what millions think — without apology,” Lawton wrote in a post on X. “I am nominating Don Cherry for the Order of Canada. I want to show the Governor General how many Canadians support Grapes (Cherry’s nickname).”
For decades, Don Cherry has celebrated hockey, honoured veterans, and said what millions think — without apology.
I am nominating Don Cherry for the Order of Canada. I want to show the Governor General how many Canadians support Grapes. Sign if you do! https://t.co/wOfgbtCxO0
— Andrew Lawton (@AndrewLawton) March 5, 2026
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said on X he supported the idea, saying Cherry embodies what it means to be a proud Canadian.
Don Cherry embodies what it means to be a proud Canadian.
Great work getting this going Andrew, and count me in. https://t.co/XrFpa4Ln9v
— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) March 6, 2026
On hearing about the nomination, prominent Bloc Québécois MPs spoke out against it. In the House of Commons, Mario Simard said the Conservative Party showed it’s out of touch with the reality in Quebec. “Canada can honour whomever it wants, but let us hope it could find someone who hasn’t insulted everyone in the world who isn’t a English Canadian white man,” he said.
Yves-François Blanchet, the Bloc’s leader, said nominating Cherry would be an insult to Quebecers, adding he was shocked the Conservative Party is championing his nomination.
“There are few Quebecers who appreciate this guy,” he said. “And, probably, no Blocists.”
Don Cherry? Vraiment?
Le Canada donnera bien ses médailles à qui il voudra. Si c’est une insulte au Québec, sport ou pas, les Québécois en prendront note.
Les Québécois ne sont pas assez bon pour jouer avec l’équipe du Canada, mais assez bon pour que le Canada ait peur que le… pic.twitter.com/3RID3zhOOZ
— Yves-F. Blanchet 🎗⚜️ (@yfblanchet) March 12, 2026
Even within the Conservative Party, the nomination isn’t unanimous.
“With all due respect, the nomination of Don Cherry to the Order of Canada is a bad idea,” said Pierre-Paul Hus, the MP for Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles. “Mr. Cherry made remarks that were unacceptable to the Québécois nation and francophones. I don’t support this nomination for the order of Canada.”
In the Journal de Montréal, political commentator Mario Dumont opined Cherry is not a unifying figure and, therefore, should not be awarded the prize. He asked if it was really the role of a political party to nominate someone to the Order of Canada, especially someone who is deemed to be an insult to a part of the public.
Cherry
was appointed to the order of Ontario
last month.