Clinton News Record, 2016-05-25, Page 5Wednesday, May 25, 2016 • News Record 5
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letters to the editor
Time to accept the future
Dear editor,
In recent months, the
integration of refugees
into our local communi-
ties has created a boom of
doubt and fear into all
ages. The other day I
heard a little girl not yet 9
years of age discussing
with her mother how "the
streets won't be safe to
walk down with these vis-
itors coming." It is these
rancorous ideas driving
out our Canadian morals
and creating a fearful
Canadian future.
There has been a cool-
ing of tempers in the last
few month regarding the
refugee issue. "National
security" has been used
as an argument to keep
out thousands of dis-
placed persons. The com-
ing months will shape our
future as a country
becoming more diverse.
Diversity is a part of Can-
ada's future and is step
one to a brighter and
safer tomorrow.
Some argue that the
$1.2 billion cost of reset-
tling the refugees over six
years is excessive.
Although this sounds like
a lot, the federal budget
plans to spend $120 bil-
lion on infrastructure
over the next ten years.
Looking at Germany's
intake of refugees and
Canada's, our intake
seems insignificant. In
just one year, Germany
took in 964,574 migrants,
and 400,000 of them were
from Syria. Compara-
tively, Canada has
brought in 27,005 refu-
gees in one year.
While the Canadian
economy slowly slides,
the German economy
grew roughly a quarter of
a percent during the con-
cluding three months of
2015, with record
employment rates and
opportunities.
So why not face the fact
that these people will not
play a burden on society?
Favoured arguments
against the immigration
of refugees include taxes,
jobs and of course,
terrorism.
Also, why not look
after our own homeless?
Yes, this argument does
have a strong point, but
our homeless do not
have to fear events like
the chemical attack in
Ghouta, which Syria saw
in August of 2013. This
attack saw upwards of
1,300 deaths and 3,600
patients showing "neu-
rotoxic symptoms': Not
to mention the numer-
ous other bombings and
multiple civilian and
military clashes during
protests. These people
are running from war,
starvation and
homelessness.
Due to stereotypes
and racism, many peo-
ple think that by allow-
ing Syrian refugees into
the country is also let-
ting terrorists in. How-
ever, these claims are
not backed up by facts.
The truth of the matter
is that Canada has a very
robust screening process
for any refugees looking
to move to Canada. The
only people who are
allowed to apply for refu-
gee status in Canada are
women, children, and
families. This means that
no single men or couples
are allowed to fill out an
application, contrary to
popular belief. On top of
this, 50% of applicants
pass the screening pro-
cess. Those who do pass
the multi -layered process
have to put their biomet-
rics into the system which
includes fingerprints and
identity verification. They
need our help, support,
and love.
- C.H.S.S. students Graeme
Lingard and Chad Higenell
On Wednesday, May 18 the students and staff at Huron
Christian School opened their doors to family, friends and
neighbours for an evening of celebrating the learning they
have done this past year. The evening featured presenta-
tions and performances by students in JK to grade 8.
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Branderhorst
Olivia Goodburn playing the trombone for the Grade 5/6 band.
Emma Veenstra playing the flute for the Grade 7/8 band.
Abby Wynja & Olivia DenHollander dressed up for the performance
of their French play.
Kelsey Boersma, Nicola Hahn, Alexis DenHollander ready to show Amanda Bos showing Yvonne Weverink & Sarah VanBreda her
off their magnet project. health project.