Canadian Immigration Minister: Jason Kenney’s flawed plans and threats
| March 24, 2009 | Posted by caroline under ethics, in the news, on identity, Uncategorized |
I have been heatedly reading all the things said by our silly Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney, from his Twitter updates to his public statements. Though I am usually not impassioned by politics, I feel he is a threat to one of Canada’s major selling points, and one of the only reasons I was brought to this country—DIVERSITY. Oh, and freedom of speech. I officially have a vendetta against Jason Kenney, and put him at number 1 on my list of people that make me cringe and gag. Number 2 is Katy Perry. Their names even share a similar ring.
Anyway, Jason Kenney makes a lot of stupid comments without any backing. In 2005, Vancouver East MP Libby Davies rightfully said, “If there was an award for making an idiotic statement, this guy would get it,’” in reference to Jason Kenney’s comments regarding same-sex marriage . Recently, he has made further severe errors that are not being taken very lightly. Therefore, I call on all Canadians and my small, loyal readership to gather troops and oust this guy! There are many reasons for us as taxpayers and Canadians to remove Kenney from such a powerful position! Please read further to get a condensed idea of Kenney’s actions and plans for Canada:
Threat #1, Against the Canadian Arab Federation
After Khaled Mouammar referred to Kenney as a “professional whore”, in response to his consistent and immovable support for Israel, Kenney rolled up his sleeves. Like a father taking off his belt and asking, “what did you just say?,” just like that, Kenney decided this past week that the Canadaian government would not be renewing funding for the Canadian Arab Federation. This money is used for language programs and job search assistance.
Did this statement really hurt Kenney’s feelings so much that he had to lash out at a whole community this way? Was it not an opinion with the right to be stated? Or, is this an inherently racist action on Kenney’s part, considering he almost simultaneously decides to put a travel ban on British MP George Galloway’s visit?
Threat #2, Travel Ban/Freedom of Speech Ban of George Galloway’s Visit
As stated by John Ivison here, though I don’t agree with other things stated by the author, the Canadian government is setting a precedent against free speech by banning Galloway from visiting. Let me further that by adding that Canada did not charge George Bush as a war criminal when he visited recently and no Israeli Prime Minister has been barred from visiting Canada even if they’ve condoned war crimes and broken the Geneva Conventions. So why is George Galloway being cut out and stopped by the border? Because he supports Hamas, a democratically elected government? Because he contributes charity-style items to Gaza after the region faces a 22-day offensive from Israel and 1300 are killed?
What bothers me most about Galloway being barred entrance is the fact that he is such a powerful speaker. I have not forgotten the silence that crept over the H-110 at Concordia University in 2007…And this is a noisy school..Though I don’t have specific notes, I remember him moving us all not just to take a stand against the politics that are deciding the fate of this region but to take a stand and recognize the erosion of humanity taking place–this is a slow, consistent genocide faced by the Palestinians–from all sides of the coin–Egypt (wtf was up with that sheep discovery scene! do the sheep have weapons sewn into their stomachs? pleeease..), the US, Canada–we’re all facilitating these actions.
Threat #3, Loss of Identity and Diversity
In the background, he firms up his approval and lifelong dedication to Israel and hosts events where his main message is that the English or French languages are the only way for Canada to progress. Of course, that means he can forget every spare hand brought into this country from the early 1900s onwards to build something out of a hodgepodge of natural resources. And skilled workers from abroad will no longer vie for Canada’s attention. I would think a Conservative party member would know these things. Kenney conveniently disregards the hard work of our forefathers, the Indians, Chinese and Japanese that helped build this country. Apparently, Canada’s Immigration Minister needs to read up on his history.
It is this mentality that spurs ignorant commentary and articles like this one by Calgary writer Naomi Lakritz. Here, Kenney suggests outright that “We don’t need the state to promote diversity. It is a natural part of our civil society.” Come on, so we can end up a melting pot like so many other countries?
Kenney is promoting, if anything, the disappearance of diversity and 2nd generation identity in regards to ethnic roots/language. What’s next, are we resurrecting residential schools?
