Comments on: Canadians by Conviction or Convenience?

By: Angel

Angel — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:55:35 +0000

When gwroing up in the 60/70s, I was always astonished at school by the way teachers (especially) and students bought in to the theory that Canadians were colour blind. Sure they were, in the small town we were in that had almost no people of colour. (Actually there was a fair amount of dislike of the Greek and Portuguese immigrants in town I can just imagine how the British-descent people would have acted towards large numbers of people of colour. )Having a father who grew up in Halifax, I and my family were well aware that there was lots of racism in Canada, including lots of black/white racism.Now I hear them trying to brainwash my children that Canada has a proud history of peacekeeping. Say, what? When I was in school we were always being taught about how our valiant soldiers’ went out and slaughtered and were slaughtered in the Boer War, WWI and WWII.I think sometimes the powers that be here in Canada think if they say it loudly and often enough they can make it true. It would be NICE if this was a country with no racism and only soldiers of peace. But we aren’t there yet.Peace out.

By: B.A.

B.A. — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:53:12 +0000

i thought you were going to chip in with some decisive insght at the end there.

By: ElenaLisvato

ElenaLisvato — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:38:00 +0000

my God, i thought you were going to chip in with some decisive insght at the end there, not leave it with ‘we leave it to you to decide’.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:53:08 +0000

Proud Canadians should know at least that this country is seen by others like Israel as a model of how to dispossess, subjugate and segregate a conquered people. If the natives lack of gratitude for handouts taken offends you consider what they have lost and are still losing. And while you are at it, consider that Canada is in the process of being owned and governed by the US. Will you be celebrating the 4th of July? or rightously refusing their handouts.

(Response: Sadly no one has given me handouts. I had to pay whopping taxes for all the 38 years I worked, and still do even after retiring, and no one ever awarded me any kind of grant, gave me a house, paid my plumbing bills, provided me free presecriptions or health care without paying premiums. Of course, though, what makes me feel best is that I didn’t need any of that …and was able to not only pay my way, but also contribute to help those who can’t. I just don’t like when those, on the take, denounce our country, instead of thanking it. h.o.)

By: Laurel

Laurel — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:46:37 +0000

Well said Harvey!! I’ve been saying for years that if our ‘first nations’ people want self government – then give it to them….but remind them they are also no longer on the bus with a free ride ticket. The worst thing our forefathers ever did was put people on reservations. The ‘first nations’ people should have been integrated into the ‘white mans’ society right from the start and been paying their way like the rest of us, rather than being paid for.

By: Treble Citizen

Treble Citizen — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:08:06 +0000

Dual citizenship illogical? Huh. I’d have thought the idea of ‘loving’ a country more illogical. Why do people feel the need to treat a rag atop a flagpole as a holy icon?

By: Leah

Leah — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:12:55 +0000

Harvey, you’ve said exactly how I’ve felt for many a year…just far better than I could have said it myself.

If you’re not going to admit to a Canadian citizenship when recognized by the government as being one – then keep your hands in your pockets come goodies time.

By: Brian Lord

Brian Lord — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:18:27 +0000

Although one cannot deny the pleasure Reid has given us through his art, you are correct Harv, in your over-all assessment. I am a Canadian who lives in SE Asia and never refer to Canada as anything but home and in speaking with fellow Canadians always use the term “we”. For those who denounce Canada, for whatever reason, they should understand how life is played out in a foreign country. Having lived in four foreign countries, including the USA, I would not trade any of them for my Canadian Citizenship.

By: Norman Farrell

Norman Farrell — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:05:25 +0000

Nationalism passes too easily into chauvinism so I prefer the Canadian tendency to be proud but not fanatic. Chauvinism is at the root of too much violence and tragedy throughout history.

That said, I wonder why we trade our citizenship so readily. If we really valued it, we would protect it from exploitation. Many have come here, qualified by cash in hand, established “roots” and returned to the homeland, willing to use whatever citizenship is most convenient. The idea of dual citizenship is illogical.

Same for Aboriginals. Although badly treated throughout earlier times, they should be careful about drawing from the common well while preventing their own stream from contributing to it. If the present system worked, it might be worth preserving but tragedy and poverty prove it does not. Any structure that works against self sufficiency will prolong the pain.

By: Fred

Fred — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:16:27 +0000

Gee, if they are not Canadian, then stop the gravy train of free houses, free education, free health care, free everything.

Cut their liplock on the public teat.