Letters

Call us concerned Canadians

December 2, 2015

To the Editor,

I feel compelled to respond to Paunnie Gordon’s letter in defence of Canadian citizens. She has labelled many as hate mongers akin to the KKK and the white supremacists and even ISIS itself. I agree that there are probably a very few that could fit that category but that is the same in every society in every country in the world.
The vast majority who have objected to Canada’s solution to the current Syrian refugee crisis are simply concerned citizens such as I.
The Liberal government rashly committed to an impossible task of importing 25,000 refugees, in spite of the status of their security screening, health situation or even our ability to properly assimilate that many people in such a short period of time. Nowhere did the government ever show a plan for employment of these people.
They simply went ahead with plans that would require moving Canadian soldiers from their barrack homes to accommodate these people.
It will also require short notice temporary deployment of many Canadian soldiers to provide security for this issue. This will take fathers and mothers away from their families over Christmas.
You may think I am opposed to bringing Syrians into Canada. I am not. I welcome them, and any other refugee, with open arms after;
1. Every Canadian has a family doctor. Some have been waiting 10 to 12 years for that luxury.
2. Every Canadian who wants to work (and I admit many do not) have been given a job.
3. Every Canadian on the affordable housing list has been found an affordable house. (There are thousands upon thousands that are still waiting.)
4. Every Canadian soldier who is suffering from PTSD is taken in and treated before refugees are provided that luxury.
5. Every applicant has been properly screened for security purposes as well as health issues. Too many foreign diseases have crossed our borders in recent years.
6. Canada establishes a process or procedure for expelling any refugee found guilty of criminal activity or terrorism.
Do not call us hate mongers, KKK, white supremacists or members of ISIS. Call us concerned Canadians who just want to be given at least the same benefits as those that come in as refugees.
 
Lou Kirby
Barry’s Bay