UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY Morals, Process and Political Scandals: The Discursive Role of the Royal Commission in the Somalia Affair in Canada by Janis L. Goldie A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY GRADUATE PROGRAM IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 2009 © Janis L. 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ABSTRACT This study was an effort to describe and understand the communication function of the Royal Commission of Inquiry in the Somalia Affair in Canada. A major political scandal in Canada, the Somalia Affair was initially marked by the torture and death of a Somalia man at the hands of a Canadian soldier while on a peace enforcement mission in Somalia in 1993 and resulted in a great deal of media attention as well as the general public reproach of Canadians. After first providing an overview of Royal Commissions of Inquiry, as well as the historical and social context of the Somalia Affair within Canada, this dissertation argues that this political scandal shook the nation, in part, because it marked a moment of moral dissonance in Canada. That is, the Somalia Affair presented serious incongruities between commonly espoused Canadian values– such as peacekeeping, multiculturalism and transparency/accountability – and the actions that the Canadian soldiers undertook in Somalia. I connect the issue of moral dissonance to the commission in an attempt to answer why the commission was used in response to the moral dissonance caused by the Somalia Affair. Utilizing an in-depth case study approach to the Somalia Affair, I undertake discourse analysis on the approximately 50,000 pages of primary documentary sources from the commission as well as on the media coverage of the affair. Ultimately, I find that the commission is an appropriate space to deal with the moral dissonance that the Somalia Affair posed for two main reasons. Firstly, because it offers a space to debate, define and potentially reassert the morals that were originally transgressed. Secondly, the commission’s reliance on process and procedure works to institutionalize, rationalize and legitimize those morals that were transgressed as well as display that the ii political system itself operates effectively. In all, I argue that it is these two communication features of the commission – as a space for moral discourse to occur within a heavily formal and procedural process – that make the commission an appropriate discursive place to respond to the moral dissonance that occurs in a political scandal like the Somalia Affair. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS A project such as this depends on the support and guidance of a number of people who I would like to acknowledge with deep gratitude. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor, Michael Keren, for his unfailing intellectual guidance and overall mentorship in this process. His continued support and enthusiasm for this project, in addition to his much-appreciated sense of humour and friendliness along the way, has truly made this experience a positive one. He has been a remarkable supervisor and for this, I am deeply indebted. I would also like to thank the members of my thesis committee. David Mitchell’s keen intellect and ability to clearly demarcate issues and challenges in this project along the way has been truly helpful. In his role as Graduate Dean in the faculty as well, I am thankful for his support and guidance throughout my graduate career at the University of Calgary. Barbara Schneider also deserves much gratitude. Beyond the much needed academic and intellectual guidance that she always freely gave, she has continuously offered me counsel, both as an individual and as an aspiring academic. Her emotional support and, I like to think, friendship, has gone above and beyond the requirements of a committee member or professor. For this I am truly grateful. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the various committee members and readers that have participated in this process such as John Ferris and Liza McCoy, who were both exceptionally helpful with the candidacy process, and David iv Schniederman’s and David Bercuson’s expertise and insight in the dissertation defence was extremely helpful. The wonderful faculty and staff members that I have had the privilege to work alongside at the University of Calgary will be remembered for some time to come, and my gratitude extends to too many people to mention here. However, there are a few that I would like to personally thank. Both David Taras and Maria Barkardijieva, in particular, have indelibly left their mark, as both inspirations as academics and professors, but perhaps more importantly, as two extraordinary individuals. My work with both of them and their different research and community interests has certainly helped to further create the model of the kind of scholar I can only hope to one day be. Likewise, staff members within the faculty, such as Janice Crawford, and recently, Megan Mitchell have always gone above and beyond the call of duty to help this perpetually detail-challenged individual and offered a smiling face while doing so. I would also like to especially thank Sylvia Mills, who helped in the most important possible way when needed, and of course, Marion Hillier, whose assistance and friendship I cherish. The many friendships with my PhD colleagues that I have cultivated throughout this process are also incredibly valued. Yen Ong, Amanda Williams, Delia Dumitrica, Sharon Mah, Sophie Wertheimer, Dawn Johnston and Lisa Stowe, are a few of the individuals whom I turned to time and time again to celebrate accomplishments, discuss ideas, console wounds and to enjoy life in general. This group of smart and strong women has continually inspired me to continue to reach. v I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my new colleagues at Huntington University/Laurentian University, whose support in the final year of this process has been much appreciated. The support from my parents along this journey has been second to none as well and I am grateful for this, but much more so, for the enduring love and support that they give consistently. They encourage me when I falter, and celebrate with me when I achieve. Likewise, my adopted family of Janet, Cleve and Tricia, has been another important source of love and support for which I am incredibly grateful. Finally, I would like to dedicate this work to the two most important people in my life. First, to my daughter Marin, who has been a part of this work, much more than she may ever realize. Her love and laughter continues to inspire me every day. And especially to my husband Tom. Words can’t express how you have touched my life, and my work. Your love and support throughout this process have been heroic, and I am overwhelmed. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract…………………………………………………………………….. ii Acknowledgements………………………………………………………… iv Table of Contents…………………………………………………………... vii List of Figures……………………………………………………………… x Epigraph……………………………………………………………............ xi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION……………………………………… 1 CHAPTER TWO: ROYAL COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY…………….. 13 Royal Commissions: An Overview………………………………… 14 History of Royal Commissions in Canada………………………… 16 A Typology of Royal Commissions………………………………… 19 Critiques of Royal Commissions…………………………………… 44 Importance and Significance of Royal Commissions……………… 47 CHAPTER THREE: THE SOMALIA AFFAIR…………………………... 50 The Setting…………………………………………………………. 51 Preparing for the Mission…………………………………………... 58 The Mission………………………………………………………… 61 The Somalia