The older generation of Canadians won’t turn their back on those who need help

By Lethbridge Herald on January 20, 2023.

Editor:

After reading Michael Adam’s article in the Dec. 31 Globe and Mail on diversity and how we Canadians are embracing it, I found it necessary for this 78-year-old to express himself.

I have seen a lot of changes in the years after I found myself engaged in activities to support myself and later my family. Fortunately, I did not have a traditional or religious upbringing to impair my thinking patterns.

Diversity has always been a natural ingredient of my moving forward. In small-town Alberta, my high school teachers included one Pakistani, one East Indian, two Australians and a Czechoslovakian. I knew nothing about anything other than school, hockey and girls and I am still learning how to deal with girls. I was surprised later in life when I found out about the mistreatment my governments (federal and provincial) awarded our Indigenous peoples. I have not turned my back or covered my ears and I believe that 90 per cent of Canadians are of the same ilk.

We Canadians have put learning from our mistakes ahead of tradition – our national identity is now framed in diversity and diversity means opening our doors to immigrants – Asian, African, South American, as our forefathers and foremothers did for Europeans many years ago.

We need to do more – and we will because we are Canadians with hearts that watch and receive – Canadians with a Charter of Rights and a legal system that is receptive to change. My generation teaches by example and we achieve with patience and we will not walk away from anyone or country that needs help – even our American friends – if they can find the humility to ask for help.

Grant R Harrington 

Lethbridge