My vote is up for grabs. I have explained why I am disappointed with Mr. Trudeau. I have laid it on the line for Mr. O’Toole. It is now the turn of the new democrat leader Jagmeet Singh. It is also a different situation.
I have a problem with Mr. Singh that I probably share with many Canadians. They are often reluctant to say it because they would be afraid of being labelled a bigot. I do not want Mr. Singh as prime minister of Canada for the same reason I would not want an Anglican priest, a practicing Jesuit, a Hassidic Jew, a Muslim Iman, an Amish Bishop or a Hindu Pujari in the position. It is not any bias against their religion. It is their commitment to their religion. We can ill afford to ever have anyone in Ottawa with the powers of the prime minister who does not owe their primary allegiance to Canada.
Mr. Singh is an observant Sikh. That means he complies with the Five Ks of the Tenth Guru. I could care less about the uncut hair, the wooden comb, the steel bracelet or the underwear. I do object to the significance of what is known as the Kirpan. These knives are carried under the clothes of an observant Sikh, to signify their readiness to supposedly fight oppression. Even as a gesture, the knives are wrong. They are wrong in Canada.
The Sikhs, in India are known for their willingness to go to war. They are a very proud people. They have been migrating to North America for the last 150 years. There have been continuing arguments and troubles in India which led to the murder of women and children on Air India Flight 182 from Montreal. It was also what led to India prime minister Indira Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards violating their oaths and murdering Mrs. Gandhi.
As a sixth generation Canadian, I cannot claim ties to an old country heritage. I can be mildly amused when Canadians of Italian heritage can have a celebration in Toronto’s Little Italy over Italy winning a soccer game.
But we cannot and must not allow old-country quarrels and prejudices to be carried on in our country. Canada is secular country and you can worship as you wish. It is your right. And, at the same time, we allow others to have their own deities, beliefs or non-beliefs. Even Quebec voters have to understand that.
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Copyright 2021 © Peter Lowry
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