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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2017-03-15, Page 44 Huron Expositor • Wednesday. March 15. 2017 5�°M Expositor p test of brave talk Huronr PUBLISHED WEEKLY — EST. 1860 P.O. Boo 39, 53 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario NOM 1L0 phone: 519-482-3443 www.seaforthhuronexpositor [P] POSTMEDIA NEIL CLIFFORD Advertising Director nclifford@postmedia.com SHAUN GREGORY Multimedia Journalist sgregory@postmedia.com 519-482-3443 Ext. 527305 NANCY DEGANS Media Sales Consultant ndegans@postmedia.com 519-482-3443 Ext. 527306 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 YEAR $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 2 YEAR $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GST) SENIORS BOWERS $50.00 (47.62+2.38 GST) 120WEEKS $95.00 (90.48+4.52 GS1) Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O. Box 39, 53 Albert Street, Clinton ON NOM 1L0 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-482-3443 Advertising is accepted on condition that in the event of a typographical error, the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. In the event of a typographical error, advertising goods or services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is merely an offer to sell and may be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, photos or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Sakai Huron Expositor is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is art independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concems. For more information or to file a complaint go to www. mediacouncil.ca or can toll free 1-844-877-1163. Member of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspaper Association. - We acknowledge the 1.1 financial support of the anaaa Government of Canada. en Angela Merkel threw open Germany's borders to migrants pouring into Europe to escape Mideast chaos, she made both a generous gesture and a serious mistake, from which Canada should learn. The gesture and the mistake were simultaneous. Merkel declared Germany would accept as many people as could survive the Mediterranean crossing, the border fences, the guards and the increasingly hostile popula- tions that separated them from German borders. But she failed to anticipate the extent of the complications this would create, or make adequate preparations to deal with it. The result has been as dis- heartening as it was predictable. Inevitably, the million or so asy- lum -seekers who arrived in 2015 and 2016 included a corps of undesirables who broke laws, abused benefits, offended cus- toms and fuelled a growing polit- ical backlash that now has Mer- kel fighting for her political life. Germany's open arms and cheerful welcome has trans- formed into a culture of resent- ment and distrust. German opinion has hardened to the point that the government is planning a new law setting up a database and special documen- tation specific to refugees, who would have to be registered, fin- gerprinted and submit their phones for examination to con- firm their identities. Merkel's initial reaction was admirable enough. She was eager to demonstrate the ugli- ness of Germany's 20th -century history was well and truly bur- ied, and a new, tolerant country was firmly established in its place. But even the most humane of nations includes dark corners and intolerant impulses that can break loose, given adequate provocation. Canada is no different, as has been evident in the bitter senti- ments leaking across the U.S. border since the election of Donald Trump legitimized xen- ophobia in the eyes of some. Canada isn't Germany and has no need to prove its accom- modating nature. Though we are hardly perfect, our past has nothing like Germany's to atone for. Canada's record on immi- gration and refugees is justifia- bly a matter of pride, and retains widespread support. But boasting about our high- mindedness won't be adequate to deal with the challenges that appear to be gathering for the future, and is dubious enough in itself given that geography and good fortune have as much to do with our immigration atti- tudes as does moral rectitude. The slight increase in refugee claimants who have decided Trump's America is no longer safe is hardly the equivalent of the mil- lions who sought help across Europe over the past several years. Journalists have swarmed to fields in Manitoba and obscure border stations in Quebec to craft the req- uisite heart-warming tales of fami- lies risking life and limb to reach safety, but so far the numbers remain small I are straining resources only uecause Canadian officials weren't prepared for it. It will become a national crisis only if Justin Trudeau's Liberals fail to leam a lesson from Ger- many and devote the attention and resources necessary to deal with the growing numbers. They seem reluctant at the moment. The Liberals bragged mightily about their determina- tion to provide a safe home to tens of thousands of Syrians, hurone OS until until the media lost interest, the photo ops went elsewhere and they could quietly let their prom- ise slip. Ottawa still hasn't reached the 25,000 Syrians it pledged to welcome 18 months ago, though private sponsorships have filled the gap. Gaudy spin sessions won't be adequate to deal with the influx of migrants from the U.S., should it swell to serious levels. Only a loophole in an agree- ment with the U.S. allows for asylum -seekers to trudge through the snow of remote farm fields in search of entry, rather than presenting them- selves at established border points. If the Liberals aren't will- ing to cancel or amend the agreement, they need to make arrangements to deal properly with those they're encouraging to make the journey. If they do cancel, they'll need to beef up the capacity at border posts. Canadians will only be forgiving for so long to the spec- tacle of entire families struggling through snowbanks and tum- bling down ditches as bemused border guards watch from either side. If resources aren't adequate for dealing with the situation without creating inter- minable backlogs, then the preparations have to be made to remedy that lack It might cost money. It might not be part of the agenda the Lib- erals came to power with. It might divert them from their pre- ferred processes, and it might not be popular. They might have to struggle with a population that can get cranky if people feel their generosity is being taken advan- tage of. They might need to enter negotiations with the provinces to co-ordinate their response, which has been suggested by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister and isn't a bad idea. It's a test both of the Liberals' brave talk and their ability to deal with difficult and unantici- pated problems. If they ignore it, they run the risk of finding themselves in the same position now facing Mer- kel, forced into harsher meas- ures by a swell of discontent cre- ated by a government unwilling to make proper preparations when it had the chance. Dither- ing isn't a good strategy. It's not recommended. MP Ben Lobb recognizes international Women's Day & Huron -Bruce DOTV Delegate Today in the House of Com- mons, Regan Preszcator of Clin- ton took MP Lobb's seat in Par- liament as the Iluron-Bruce delegate for Daughters of the Vote (DOTV). Daughters of the Vote is a non- partisan initiative launched by Equal Voice, an organization seeking to increase women's participation in politics. 'the Daughters of the Vote confer- ence brought together 338 dele- gates - one young woman for each federal tiling l'frt!rm across the country for a three day conference in celebration of 100 years of wom- en's suffrage in Canada and to mark International Women's Day. "I am honoured to be partici- pating in this initiative to bring a rural perspective to these discus- sions and advocate for increased representation of women living in rural Canada': - Regan Preszcator, Daughters of the Vote, I-luron-Bruce Regan is a graduate of St. Anne's Secondary School and is currently in her fourth year at the University of Ottawa for English and Business. She is currently employed in the Office of Ben Lobb. For more information please see: http://www.daugh- tersofthevote.ca/rpreszcator SEAFORTH HURON EXPOSITOR/CLINTON NEWS RECORD M HOURS OF OPERATION P.O. Box 39.53 Albert St., Clinton ON NOM 1L0 MONDAY: 9:00-5:00 • TUESDAY: CLOSED • WEDNESDAY: 9:00-5:00 • THURSDAY: 9:00-5:00 • FRIDAY: 9:00-5:00 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAYS AT 2:OOpm • PHONE: 519-482-3443 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com