I would like to say to the writer of the letter to the Advocate editor published on March 23 (I thought Canada supported religious freedom, diversity) that we are not all as unwelcoming a Conservative MP Larry Miller, to new immigrants.
When I grew up in the Peace River country after the Second World War, our town became home to a large number of new immigrants, known then as Displaced People. They came from the Ukraine and other European countries.
The women wore black coats and heavy babushkas. They looked odd to us, but they came to town from their new homes in the country and sat on the bench at the grocery store and when necessary nursed their babies. Some said, “In public, imagine!”
They smiled at us and tried their few words of English. Mostly, though not all, smiled back, and eventually we bought eggs and cream and handiwork from them. They became neighbours and friends.
When we see a woman today with her face covered and her husband and children wearing western clothes we wonder why. Is she forced by him to wear this? How can she enjoy the beautiful country and how can we smile at her?
Perhaps someone from here who went to Pakistan would also find things very different. MP Larry Miller does not speak for me, or for many others I know, but he has the right to say what he thinks.
I hope you will stay in this country and find a home here, but we are all learning.
In the past, immigrants to Central Alberta have not been people who covered their faces. I went for a walk this morning and the air felt fresh on my face. It will take time for us to learn about each other, most of us will try.
Peggy Freeman
Red Deer