I want to publicly thank our MP Michael Chong for his clear, principled stand on immigration and refugees following the recent Quebec City massacre.
Despite the brutal murders in Quebec, and a subsequent spike in racist comments on social media and in several public places, it has been thrilling to witness so many Canadians responding – not just with deep sorrow and regret for this atrocity to the Muslim community in Canada – but with outpourings of kindness and generosity. Yes, love has trumped hate in this instance – and it always will.
Mr Chong probably knows better than most Canadians that addressing deep fears about people who are ‘different’ – and other roots of racism – require more than legal Charter protections; they need hefty doses of a lot of things; for starters: education at all levels, ethical behavior by respected leaders, and constant watchfulness.
Michael’s statement named several inspiring examples of Canada and Canadians generously welcoming refugees over the years, including Vietnamese ‘Boat People’ in the 1980s.
But we also need to remember the times we have turned our backs:
• the theft of land from Native peoples during European settlement, and countless broken promises since (still ongoing);
• refusal to allow a ship of Jewish refugees to land in Halifax in 1939, ending by death in gas chambers for over 200 Jews sent back to Germany;
• charging head taxes on Chinese immigrants building our national railways;
• quarantining Japanese citizens during WW II.
And so on.
We will never be perfect as a democracy or country, but now is the perfect chance to show ourselves and the world what compassion, generosity and integrity can truly look like.
Thank you again, Michael Chong, for your powerful stand, and for continuing to repeat it often during these unsettled, worrying times.
Liz Armstrong