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John --
Another policy in the People’s Party’s
platform that speaks to me is the policy on multiculturalism. Even
though Canada is a diverse country and we acknowledge this fact, it
doesn’t mean we want or need more and more diversity with no end in
sight. A society and its institutions cannot function without trust,
common understanding and a set of widely shared (Canadian) values.
I want the type of multiculturalism that
enriches our society and not the type that divides our society into
clans or tribes. As a nation, we should not and would not want the
form of official (extreme) multiculturalism that Justin Trudeau
espouses, which is the type of multiculturalism based on NO unified
Canadian society and NO Canadian identity but rather, it’s just based
on a collection of ethnic and religious tribes living side by side.
This form of official multiculturalism is what divides us, divides our
country and causes social disorder. Instead, we want people to have a
sense of belonging and responsibility to a wider society, and that
society is the unified Canadian society with a set of widely shared
(democratic) values, one of which my family treasures tremendously is
FREEDOM.
My family has escaped communism and
embraced democracy by fleeing China and Vietnam to come to Canada. We
have left communism behind and never looked back. We’ve become full
fledged Canadians. We’ve embraced and adopted the Canadian culture
and values and integrated into the Canadian society. To me, we’re
Canadians first and foremost. We’re not Chinese Canadians, nor
Vietnamese Canadians, but Canadians. Likewise, you’re not African
Canadians, nor Indian Canadians, nor Muslim Canadians, but you’re all
Canadians.
Being a Canadian doesn’t mean I have to
give up all aspects of my cultural heritage. For example, my family
continues to celebrate the Chinese New Year, but we also celebrate
Christmas and the Canadian New Year. One of the early Canadian
traditions I crave and miss is the singing of the Canadian national
anthem every morning before classes begin in elementary school. If
possible, I would want it back so my nieces and nephews could enjoy
this tradition like I did. Moreover, I may speak Cantonese at home if
I want to, but in fact we often converse in a mixture of Cantonese and
English. However, I speak mainly English outside of my home because
of the respect and love I have for Canada and Canadians. I’m a member
of the wider Canadian society, and English is one of the two official
languages we use to communicate in our communities. As Canadians with
an immigrant background, I think we are in a unique position in that
we get to keep the best of both cultures.
In a free society, immigrants have the
right to cherish and maintain their cultural heritage. Given this
freedom, I don’t need to impose obligations on the government or need
the government to help me preserve my heritage with creation of
government programs and the use of taxpayer money. I do not need the
Multiculturalism Act to help me preserve my heritage or to remind me
of who I am. It is my choice and my free will to keep certain aspects
of my heritage. I will not force others to accept my culture or adopt
it against their will. While I keep part of my cultural heritage, I’m
a Canadian at large and a Canadian at heart. To me, this is the
meaning of becoming a Canadian with a distinct flavor that enriches
our society.
The People’s Party has the right kind of
policy to promote and strengthen Canadian unity and social cohesion.
Repealing the Multiculturalism Act and eliminating all funding to
promote multiculturalism are all the right moves towards bringing
people closer together to function as one unified society with the
same shared values on a broader, national scale. The People’s Party
and Annie Young is the voice for common folks because we understand
your concerns and know what Canada needs to become united, strong and
free. To help preserve the Canadian identity and ensure Canada stays
Canadian, vote for Annie Young on October 21!
Annie Young
http://ppcedmontonmillwoods.nationbuilder.com/
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