Charter Fails Canada Once Again
Dear Editor
(While I realize that most editors do not acknowledge letters that go to other papers, I have no way to communicate my views other than this method. Should you feel that your policy automatically deletes my view which is of a national concern, then so be it. But I am a proud Canadian and I hope that most editors are as well and realize we must ALL have some responsibility of letting citizens’ views be heard by all – we have no other forum – L. G. Anderson)
My letter to a local paper expressing my view that when it comes to singing O Canada in a classroom in this country, there should be no exceptions or excuses for not being a part of this patriotic act on behalf of a country’s citizens. Enough said on that issue.
The Charter was cited (as an addition to my view point on attached letter) as the reason for exempting those who do not wish to participate due to their religion. It is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms Act that protects individuals from partaking in this ‘act of patriotism and citizen obligation.’
My view of the Charter first is, let me be clear, to say, It was not written by the GODS, in stone and perfect. It was put together by ‘man’ who, are not perfect, all knowing . Therefore the Charter is flawed. And as indicated in my letter of protest (attached) that religion should not be used as an ‘exemption’ from singing O Canada, it now shows the flaw it has had right from the start. ALL minority rights (religious or otherwise) are rights only if they are, which is not stated in the charter, reasonable and if they are not allowed “ would it cause great hardship”. I don’t see how this ‘exemption’ can apply and in a person’s logical right mind, ‘should apply.’
My view is “The true test of a country is the ‘respect and honor’ its citizens exhibit in their daily lives.”
Canada has warped that view. It has allowed the foundation of this country, that for 100 years was creating a strong new bold identity, to disintegrate. Peoples from all over the world aspired to Canada’s values and traditions and so wished to immigrate here and join in. But now suddenly these are deemed offensive to new Canadians and too hard for them to adjust to. And how better to fix it than to make sure the founding people were held in check (no voice) and abandon their traditions by implementing the Charter. Now all will be fine.
Things are not fine and the Charter continues to erode traditions and values of a ‘country nature’ to a ‘minority group’ nature and we now have: splits, racism, discrimination, anger, apathy, erosion, and a total unclear feeling of what this country is all about.
The use of religion to avoid partaking in a moral obligation to stand up for your country offends me – but since I am NOT a minority, since I was born here (*however my father immigrated here but in those days, immigrants were welcomed to JOIN in and he did just that) , because I have worked hard to be a good citizen, I have somehow become a threat to ‘immigrants,’ who again, come to this country in the first place because of what our ancestors did to build this country in the first place.
We are running out of ‘Canadians’ because “Canadians’ cannot exist – and the Charter makes sure that that status quo stays in place. I argue that just because one is a minority does not mean they are right nor all their ‘ways’ are right. That is impossible to accommodate yet, we are obligated to do so by adhering to the flawed Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Failure to sing O Canada using the Charter as an ‘exemption’ is a perfect test to see how my fellow Canadians feel and will react. Are we going to take it? Do we continue to accept the Charter that infuriates and destroys voice using a view point that does not protect ALL its citizens equally but group by group? Are Canadians willing to start to question the moral fiber of this country at last or just let it pass, as usual.
Why is it that a religious right can offend me but I have no voice to argue against it? – is the bottom line.
L. G. Anderson
Spruce Grove, AB
