To the Editor:
I just can't believe what I heard on the news! Some immigrants have legally challenged that they have to pledge allegiance to the Queen in order to become Canadian Citizens!
Who the heck do they think that they are? Did somebody force them to come to this country? Are they refugees? Whatever made them come to this country, they came to a democratic country with a lot of freedoms, including the freedom to leave if they are not happy here.
Myself I am a Norwegian immigrant and have lived in Canada for over 40 years, enjoying every moment of it! I chose the freedom to become a Canadian Citizen and pledged allegiance to the Queen, as that is what we Canadians do! Nobody forced me to become a citizen, as I'm sure nobody is forcing the people who lost their challenge in court! I can only hope that they were ordered to pay the entire legal cost, including the cost of operating the court room and the judge's salary, as I would prefer that my tax money be better utilized elsewhere.
I harbour no ill feelings or prejudices towards any ethnic group in our great country, but I do have a strong dislike for the people that need to challenge Canadian laws or culture. We are a bilingual country with two official languages: English and French. Learn one or the other or even better learn both of them! -We celebrate Canada Day, not any other country's national holiday! We do recognize that Canada was built on immigrants from around the world by staging annual multicultural events in most major cities across Canada.
Canada is my adopted country, and I am forever pleased that Canada adopted me!
Kaare Askildt , Hazel Dell, SK. Sept. 27, 2013
