Cartoon added nothing to immigration debate

By Letter to the Editor on January 8, 2019.

Re: Cartoon of Dec. 20 showing conservatives as chicken little types on immigration

I believe that a national debate on immigration is needed before we get to the point of social disintegration that many other western countries suffering from uncontrolled migration and immigration problems have reached. The cartoon furthers the division of people between the so-called right and left. The idea that all cultures are equal seems to drive some on the left. If that were true, the poorer parts of the world would be as well ruled and have as good a lifestyle as the western nations.

I suggest the basis of our more advanced part of the world is largely based on our cultural heritage. Once that is gone or dismissed there is nothing to keep us from becoming the same as the places that most immigrants are fleeing from; war-torn and tribal. It has taken us several thousand years from the early democratic ideas of Athens and the rule of law of Rome and many trials and tribulations to get where we are as a nation today. It can also be lost quickly.

Our current government in Ottawa, supported by many provincial governments, believes unfettered immigration is what Canadians want. There has never been a serious proposal for a reduction in immigration numbers by any party. The people should be asked in a referendum what level they support. The matter cannot be dealt with in the general election because all three major parties support massive numbers. In addition, they do not adequately fund the immigration enforcement officers so very few illegals or failed refugees are deported in a timely manner, if at all.

In my opinion, most Canadians vote on a personal economic basis, so in an election, the immigration issue is not what they vote on. The last election is a case in point. Yet at social interactions immigration is a frequent topic as its effects can be seen in all our bigger cities, some positive, some negative. In addition, the past governments were all in support of the business community’s idea of an unlimited labor source and population expansion through massive immigration. My main concern is about social cohesion and possible social disruption if immigrant and refugee integration challenges overwhelm our society. These concerns are shared, I believe, by others, so the cartoon is unhelpful and adds nothing to the debate.

Roger Beebe

Medicine Hat

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