Dear Editor:
Especially at this time of year, in the glow of Canada Day, I remember vividly and give thanks for being granted Canadian Citizenship many years ago in Canadian Citizenship Court presided over by Honourable Judge Joe Young in Regina.
I came here as a boat person immigrant and had to learn Canadian ways, work hard and assimilate while often facing the slurs like this, “you can be sent right back on the boat to where you came from if you cause us any problems.”
Under the tutelage of my parents, excellent teachers, and members of a the nurturing community of Lafleche, Saskatchewan, I learned to respect the two founding cultures of Canada and those of Canada’s Aboriginal First Peoples; to adopt and live by Canadian values, norms and laws; and to use both official languages - French and English - correctly.
Millions of immigrants to Canada from all over the world have done the same. They join me in their valid expectation that new immigrants to Canada, however they got here including other boat people like me, to do the same or to get the hell out and to take their attitudes and baggage with them. They are expected to know their place, conform and assimilate. If this means going back to where ever they came from and to whatever awaits them there, so be it.
Dr. Dennis Hall, Ph.D.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
