We Received An Email…

Even though I’m running a risk of letting this blog drift off into politics, I thought I’d show you guys the email we received today. But before that I must say for our American friends that the background for this letter is the recent political proposal of the Province of Quebec to prohibit the wearing of all kind of religious symbols in public jobs. Of course this has started a very hot burning discussion throughout Canada. Canada has always looked at itself as the country where multiculturalism was the backbone of Canadian democracy and freedom. But when f.ex a police officer shows up wearing a turban instead of his uniform cap then people are getting excited in a negative way. I, myself have met one of those back when we were still in Alberta. And I didn’t like it a bit. So there’s gotta be a truth in the following letter, which I won’t keep away from you any longer. If you feel for it write a comment, if not it’s OK as well. And at the end of this letter you can read my own comment.   Congratulations to our fellow Canadians in Quebec who had the courage and conviction to exhibit their common sense in officially banning the hijab for certain transactions where identity is mandatory. It's a start. It's a privilege to be allowed to immigrate and to live in this country - not a right. When this hit the e-news a few weeks ago, there was overwhelming support by the readers who AGREED with Quebec 's action. The letter below says it all. Keep it going. A Letter to the Editor (excellent letter) So many letter writers have explained how this land is made up of immigrants. Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people why today's Canadian is not willing to accept the new kind of immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to Canada , people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in Halifax and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times.                          They made learning English a primary rule in their new Canadian households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new and better life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labour laws to protect them. All they had were the skills, craftsmanship and desire they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity. Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. Canadians fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from Germany, Italy, France, Japan, China, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Sweden, Poland and so many other places. None of these first generation Canadians ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Canadians fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan . They were defending the Freedom as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those villages was looking for the Ukrainian-Canadian or the German-Canadian or the Irish-Canadian. The people of France saw only Canadians. And we carried one flag that represented our country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be a Canadian. They stirred the melting pot into one red and white bowl. And here we are in 2013 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges, only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules - one that includes a Canadian passport and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being a Canadian is all about. Canadians have been very open-hearted and open-minded regarding immigrants, whether they were fleeing poverty, dictatorship, persecution, or what ever else makes us think of those aforementioned immigrants who truly did ADOPT our country, our flag, our morals and our customs, and left their wars, hatred, and divisions behind. I believe that the immigrants who landed in Canada in the early 1900s deserve better than that for the toil, hard work and sacrifice of those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags, fighting foreign battles on our soil, making Canadians change to suit their religions and cultures, and wanting to change our country’s fabric by claiming discrimination when we do not give in to their demands. Its about time we get real and stand up for our forefathers’ rights. We are CANADIAN.  I am a Native of this Country and proud of it! NO MORE POLITICAL CORRECTNESS And while we're on the subject - allow CHRISTMAS back in stores and our schools! I want back the country of my birth. Hope this letter is read by millions of people all across Canada !! We are letting people live here that hate our way of life!!!!!!!! WHY?????????????????? My comment: Since this discussion started in Quebec I must say that it did surprise me a little. As is known the Province of Quebec tends to act a bit special and uncanadian at times. First I will mention Qubec’s repeated attempts to separate from Canada. Second there is the fact that the Province does not allow any English in public places. And I am talking about English company- or product names. Walmart is not Walmart in Quebec but “Le Magasine De Walmart” and stuff like that. So, naturally I’m a bit cautious about applauding to the full extent of the above letter. Also i know that many immigrant communities in the early 1900s hung onto their homeland language. Icelanders in Manitoba spoke Icelandic for a very long time until they slowly changed to English. The same happened to German, Norwegian and Dutch communities. Mennonites are STILL speaking their old German language. But of course there is a difference between what I am doing in private when I speak to my wife and what I’m doing in a public office.  Canada has 2 official languages plus the native languages of the First Nations. Police officers with turbans break with the rules of having a publicly recognizable uniform. This country maintains certain standards – in spite of multiculturalism. What people do after their job I do not care about.