It seems every week I’m giving an immigration lesson in my column and I’m nowhere near an expert on the subject, but facts just aren’t being reported. To set the stage: there was an earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and thousands of people were allowed to come to the United States under a temporary ‘special status’ agreement whereby once Haiti was rebuilt, these people would go home. Perceived racist US President Donald Trump has hinted that he will be putting a stop to this program sooner rather than later. Haitians, who have known all along they would, eventually, be told to go home, are now flocking to Canada to try and get to stay here instead. But, here’s where the media fails to disseminate information. Canada had a similar program to the US for those affected by the Haiti earthquake. The feds (under perceived racist Stephen Harper) issued a notice to end the program back in 2014 and perceived Humanitarian Of The Century Justin Trudeau confirmed this program would be suspended in 2016. So the evil Trump is, simply, following Canada’s lead. The million dollar question is why is Canada letting these Haitians cross illegally and get, temporary, access to welfare and health benefits? Your guess is as good as mine. Trudeau extended a welcome mat to people he knows full well are going to be, at some point, sent back to Haiti. In the in-between time, they present a burden on our, already, stressed social programs and health care system.
Last Sunday, it was shown on the media that a white extremist group had set up a demonstration in Quebec that was thwarted by an alt-left anti-fascist group who showed up to counter through violence. A Global TV reporter’s camera was smashed in the process. Do your homework on these news stories. The best thing I could find on this white supremacist operative was that it was a group of people opposed to illegal immigration. Understand this: being opposed to illegal immigration does not make you racist. You can be opposed to illegal immigration and be in favor of legal immigration and still be a real good, decent human being.
This past weekend in San Francisco, another group called Patriot Prayer had their gathering canceled because it had developed unwanted media attention that labeled them as white supremacists. However, if you go to the group’s Facebook page, you will see they are anything but that. In fact, they disavow all extreme groups and plead for love and peace to heal America. They even had speakers lined up from many different groups (Black, Hispanic, Asian, Samoan, Muslim, a female, and a white male). Group organizers were so opposed to violence, they decided to just cancel the prayer altogether because the media is, not only, not helping; but they are sabotaging attempts to bridge the divide. When it comes to ratings for failing media groups, racism is the second most profitable topic next to a war.
By the end of the week, Canada will be issuing passports to people and allowing them to leave the gender portion as ‘unspecified’. This may cause a lot of trouble for people at the ports of entry to other countries. To me, I feel check marking the ‘unspecified’ box will bring nothing but unwanted attention to people. In the end, I don’t care, but we’ve gone beyond the point of not discriminating. When I see something like this combined with the fact that Pride parade organizers can now ban certain groups of people from taking part in their event, we don’t have any more work to do when it comes to all inclusiveness. When all inclusive groups can exclude certain people, the cause is over.
Well that didn’t take long. Omar Khadr wants his bail restrictions loosened, which includes unfettered access to his sister. She’s the one who was detained in Turkey a year ago on suspected terrorism. She’s, since, gotten out and is said to be living in Sudan with a planned visit to Canada. The pro-Al Qaeda lady should never get past the border, but this is Canada after all. I mean if we are going to pay a terrorist $10.5 million, why wouldn’t we let his sister, who isn’t shy about her beliefs, back into the country? We all have our flaws. Meanwhile, her ex-husband is the guy who took his 8-month pregnant wife backpacking in Afghanistan a few years ago and is now living in ‘captivity’ with her there. It’s believed Canada is also negotiating to secure their release. And, Canada isn’t a terror harboring country. Sure. Doesn’t all this make you wonder why smuggling an extra bottle of vodka in from the States is such an egregious offense?
Some of my readers love it when I admit I’m wrong so I will end this week by saying I’m wrong when it comes to Chris Jones. I didn’t think the guy was going to turn the Saskatchewan Roughriders around. Stories of his off-field behaviour were troubling to me. Not to mention the record fines from last year, the revolving door of players, and his out of control ego. Yet, the Roughriders are 4-and-4 and trending upward as we get set for the Labour Day Classic against Winnipeg. A home and home sweep of the Blue Bombers and talk of a Grey Cup wouldn’t be at all silly.
Nice people mentions this week: Laurie Renton, Sarah Geisler, Scott Moe, and Patricia Switzer.
