Losing your illusion - right-wing Canada

Every country has what we in America call "right-wing zealots". Canada is no exception. These are folks who subscribe to a very black and white view of the world, who regard immigrants with suspicion, who advocate closed borders, "get tough" policies and generally lack compassion for others.

Whenever there is a report on an immigration issue in The Star, these folks come out of their bunkers in droves to comment, stepping up anonymously and hiding behind monkiers like "Canada for Canadians" and "George W Bush".

In a recent article, The Star reported on a case for the UK involving a Canadian woman who was kicked out of the UK and wont be able to return for two years (when she's 21) under a law meant to protect the forced (arranged) marriage of young women to older men (a non-western tradition). She is 19, he is 28.

Sure enough, out come the vultures, ready to feed:

"Canada needs to stiffen our laws too. I am a Canadian citizen (single male) and I have been offered money in the past from a woman wanting to get married for citizenship. I wound (sic) how often that happens?"

"Canada wants to let in more people to support the aging population and pension plan, but at what cost? A good percentage of the people getting in don't want to work or are out rite criminals."

"Canada too should follow Britain in stopping this `business' of bringing spouses from one's native country. Canadian men go to their native India and Pakistan or wahtever and exploit people's craze there for foreign tag. They marry their daughters to them. What happens after that is well documented. Also, this practice doesn't encourage integration in local societies. Wake up, Jason Kenney."

While there are many, MANY who will welcome you to Canada as an immigrant, don't be surprised that there is also a very vocal contingent who wants nothing to do with you. It's always been this way, and always will be. Don't let it discourage you!