Comments on: Min. Jason Kenney Blames the Immigrants!

By: run like the wind » Neo-Nazis in Vancouver

run like the wind » Neo-Nazis in Vancouver — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 04:10:57 +0000

[...] And after all, why not — it’s one of the easiest things to decry here and now. Even Jason Kenney’s probably willing to go on record saying neo-Nazis sucks, even if he won’t actually [...]

By: Lawrence Gridin

Lawrence Gridin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:04:51 +0000

WP:
Imposing visa restrictions against visitors from a particular country is completely arbitrary and smacks of racism.

If not a violation of the letter of the Charter, it’s certainly a violation of the spirit.

Section 15(1) reads:

Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability.

National origin is an immutable characteristic. To say “Mexicans seem to make a lot of bogus refugee claims; let’s just ban all Mexicans” is akin to saying “Jews seem to make a lot of bogus refugee claims; let’s not allow Jews into the country.” Or “let’s not allow gays into the country.” Or “let’s not allow Blacks into the country.” etc. etc.

Does that sound acceptable to you?

By: WP

WP — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:51:28 +0000

Let’s hear it for Kenney. It’s about time we slapped visa restrictions on certain countries of origin. This country has been abused and defrauded by too many bogus refugees. Enough is enough.

By: Omar Ha-Redeye

Omar Ha-Redeye — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:03:51 +0000

You might be more interested in looking into the different types of racism before issuing ad hominem attacks. And here's a good reason: it's the law (subject to limits of reasonableness). And your point still does not address the issue that the Reform Party was one of the worst opponents to government-back French programs across Canada, and yet the same people now claim to champion our national languages.

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 06:03:49 +0000

I agree 100% with Taylor. There is absolutely no reason why we should bend over backwards trying to to ‘offend’ immigrants by suggesting they speak English or French.

Actually, Ryan your theory that multiculturalism is not destroying Canadian cultural identity is quite bizarre to me. How can a culture remain intact when there are multiple (notice how the root of the word is used in MULTIculturalism) cultures are being added, mixed, and appended to it on an ongoing basis? How could it possibly remain the same?

Language is one the the essential ‘fabrics’ of any country, and to have somebody accused of racism for simply bringing up the issue is completely counter productive, and quite immature really.

By: Dylan Sherlock

Dylan Sherlock — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:58:38 +0000

Wow… hilarious set of arguments from a couple posters here… really, some of you genuinely think that immigrants speaking or making signage in their native languages in public is offensive? Wow. But in all honesty, it is important that ALL Canadians be able to speak our official languages. Both of them. Maybe some other langauges too. I don’t see it as very much to ask.

As much as the Tories immigration policies stink of racism, it’s really something of “gotcha politics” to take that speech and say “look, that’s racism!”. Let’s take a deep breath and think about how to address those systemic issues of racism in a constructive manner, eh?

By: Omar Ha-Redeye

Omar Ha-Redeye — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:51:23 +0000

Dylan, I have no qualms stating that the Reform Party policies identified above are clearly racist, especially when using the broadest form of the term which includes economic and institutional racism. Nowhere above do I extend this generality to the current Conservative Party of Canada as a whole. However, the Minister's statements at UWO were reminiscent of his former Party's policies, and thus, deeply disturbing.

By: Ryan MacIsaac

Ryan MacIsaac — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:41:16 +0000

Actually, Taylor, it is easy to find examples of Western countries that have been faulted for showing exclusive behaviour toward immigrants. Your theory that multiculturalism is destroying Canada’s cultural identity is, however, a bizarre fringe theory that could not be backed up with solid evidence even if you tried. I don’t think it’s fair to attack the Conservatives of outright, intentional racism. What Kenney and the Cons are exhibiting is a subtle shift in ideology with respect to immigration. It’s not clear, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they’re trying to move away from Canada’s “multiculturalism” model and toward a US-style “melting pot.” Kenney’s comments imply that immigrants should be more like “us” (i.e. Anglo-Saxon); he is exhibiting a deep-seated fear of what is popularly referred to as “the other.” To implement this fear in the form of policy would be horribly regressive in an immigration system that, while not perfect, is better than most. (It’s also safe to say that the Cons are only concerned with protecting English Canada, not with Canada’s rich francophone culture, as they have only tried to buy off Québec with all the finesse of broker peddling a subprime mortgage.)

By: Taylor

Taylor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:26:03 +0000

The comments here accusing the Reform Party of racism are laughable considering a Poll taken in the late 1980′s showed that Canadians did not think that Immigration should drastically alter the ethnic makeup of Canada. (Please read a book- “The Trouble with Canada”). The Reform Party simply tried to respresent what most Canadians felt in a democratic country unlike the Liberal Party which jammed the policy of Multiculturalism down the throats of Canadians without any vote on the matter. I wonder what you would think if this happened in a “non-white” country, I think some of you would have a totally different opinion. Other countries protect their national identity and culture and no one faults them for it. Those of you here commenting that think you are anti-racist are in fact people whose attitudes are that a nation, a country has no right to an identity. The United Nations says that Genocide is not just an act of killing but to bring about purposely anything to change or destroy a cultural identity which is what has basically happened already to the English Canadian identity. You all would not be saying the same thing about the Tibetans who fight off the cultural domination of the Chinese. Remember the riots in Tibet where the Tibetans attacked Chinese stores? They were the “brave Tibetans.” When the same thing happened in Vancouver 100 years ago it was called racism. People would object if Beijing was to become predominantly European or if an African city became mostly Asian but if England became Asian so be it, right? Yes Canada as a predominantly European country welcomed others and that is good but no one, when the term “Multicultural” was put in the constitution did anyone think it would mean a total destruction one day of the British and French identity of the country that will happen. Cultural Genocide plain and simple.
And no I have not forgot the native people but 2 wrongs do not make a right and our guilt should be directed to them and need not be directed to the population masses in the rest of the world. The white population in this country is supposed to bear the weight and guilt of everything in this country. Can I remind everyone that the Chinese, Japanese, Indians did not mind landing here on land that wasn’t theirs to begin with either without asking an aboriginal permission.

By: Lawrence Gridin

Lawrence Gridin — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:20:57 +0000

Louise: I actually think it’s pretty cool to walk down the streets of a Toronto ethnic neighbourhood — be it Little India, Greek Town, Little Italy, Koreatown, or the many others — and see signs that are reflective of those cultures.

We are all the richer for having a diversity of languages and cultures in this country.