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Canada's Response
I read that people think that we should negotiate with Afganistan for the terrorists. Do they not realize that if we do this we will be opening the doors for this kind of action to happen on a regular basis. If we give them what they want every one that wants something will kill people in a rich or powerful nation and demand something in return for not doing it again. We would be foolish to beleive that just because we are Canadians living in Canada we are immune to this kind of attack. We are a huge trading partner of the Americans, we are in the position of being a target if the American economy is targeted. We as Canadians are always complain!
ing that the world does not take us seriously enough, well here we are involved in a campaign that the world supports, and what do I read, that Canadians are not supporting the protection and defence of our way of life.
Jason Peckham
Luseland,Saskatchewan
I think its about time the government made some legislation that doesn't ride the fence. I would like to see much tougher immigration laws
and they could certainly be alot tougher on suspected terrorists. They worry far too much about individual human rights. What about the
rights of the masses? We should be able to go about our business day to day and not be killed or have a constant threat of terror. I keep
hearing the comment that America has had a taste of what we live with every day. Did America create that caos there? Why should
America have to experience this?
Jane Williams
It is very sad to see the enthusiasm people have for war. It seems as
though the American government as well as ours(Canadian) are encouraging
support for war. I am in total agreement that what terrorists have done is
completely wrong and vengance should be sought. What I do not wish to see
is the flag waving, hi-fiving, pep-rallying propaganda both governments are
giving us. War is a time of great sacrifice and mourning. We should focus
more on educating our country each day on the reasons why we are in
Afghanistan and why we should kill others to right a terrible wrong. We
must realize now that we may never see Total Freedom.
Something I pray for everyday.
Patrick P. Jilesen
Just a short note on all this "left wing, give peace a chance, anti American" stuff going around.
Bin Laden is not concerned with past errors of American foriegn policy in Central and South America and of the problems of Palestinians.
To do nothing in Afganistan in the face of this act of war against the states is unthinkable. The NDP has said that we must go throught the U.N. first.
We don't need the U.N. to defend what's right and to defend ourselves...remember, more than a few Canadians were killed in New York...maybe we
should just get out the white flags now and surrender and hope we don't get hit again.
Larry Deane
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
To all of you Canadians, who are responding with such obvious bias, I ask you to listen to yourselves and read your words. I'm not just
reading responses from those who want peace, I'm reading a tremendous dislike for Americans. I'm an American and yes, I'm a proud one.
I'm one of millions who despite the shortcomings and mistakes we've made are still proud of who we are. I'm married to a Canadian and
have found many similarities between our two nations. To those of you who want to bring the terrorists to justice, it's what most of us want.
The difference is, we're not willing to let thousands more die while we talk and wait. Remember, the attack on the WTC killed people from
dozens of nations, including Canada. My heart has been so heavy these last
weeks and at the same time so uplifted by those around me in NY. Then I read these responses, the talk of diplomacy was coupled with
such obvious dislike of the US. When I read this, I think, maybe we should be isolationists and keep all of our money, etc., here.
M.Stalteri
Brooklyn, NY
Shame on all countries supporting and participating in the cowardly attacks on Afghanistan, under this supposedly “war on terrorism”
undertaken by the world’s self-proclaimed superpower.
I guess we won’t be hearing of the destruction and pain inflicted to people of Afghanistan the way we were exposed to when the
world trade centre’s were attacked. I guess all these deaths will just be mentioned as “war casualties” with no mourning or mass gatherings to
show our solidarity. However, these are innocent victims too, just as New York’s!
If we feel for humanity we should not be differentiating between “them” or “their pain” in opposition to “us” or “the pain of our
people”. Where is our sense for humanity and human life!
Carmen Lartigue
Montreal,Quebec
NDP leader Alexa McDonough is to be congratulated on her stand against the U.S. campaign in Afghanistan. I am not an NDP supporter (or any other party for that matter) but I do admire her courage in taking on the entire country in standing up for her convictions. The U.S. is going to have to face up to the fact that its actions in the past and the present are making a dreadful mess of world politics. To blindly follow them into this morass from which there is no solution using force shows how blind our politicians are. The Economist this week showed exactly how low their opinion is of Tony Blair and his Don Quixote action of riding off in all directions fighting with windmills! While the Taliban had no reason to fear Mr.Blair, wrote the Economist, the British public surely did!
M.Hrycaiko
Toronto,Ontario
Once again Alexa McDonough demonstrates how out of touch with reality the NDP has become. She asserts that Kofi Annan and the UN have the moral right to lead the war on terrorism but that the US has not. She is actually saying that the man who stood aside whilst the Rwanda massacre went on, and the organisation that has set a new benchmark for political compromise with the admission of Syria to membership of the Security Council somehow have greater moral weight than the victims of September 11th. Moreover, she is really sayingi that the US should be pushed aside and punished by the world community.
This is a breathtaking piece of internationalist rhetoric, unworthy of even the remnants of a once-proud party: It's quite worthy, however, of Sunera Thobani and her ilk.
Patrick Wesley
London,Ontario
Alexa McDonough claims to be the voice of reason by asking the United States to back off from Afghanistan. Unfortunately by calling the U.S. the, "Judge, jury and executioner", she is cheapening Canadas' efforts to assist its allies.
We may be citizens of a country that values peace but we are also a people who have sprung into battle to assist our friends.
The eventuality of a United Nations presence is a given. But only after terrorist are apprehended and justice is served.
Raymond David
London, Ontario
Canada should immediately demand that the U.S. negotiate the surrender of Osama bin Laden to a neutral third party to be held until an international criminal tribunal can be assembled. Sadly our willingness to be a U.S. puppet prevents us from being regarded as an independent country capable of placing justice before US demands. It is incomprehensible that the world's media is not unanimously condemning the ouright rejection by the U.S. to negotiate the surrender of Osama bin Laden to a third party. This is outrageous.
Judith Wilson
Gibsons,B.C.
We all agree that terrorism is evil but like any other type of evil it was not created in a day and will not end in a day. All problems
have symptoms and causes. It seems symptoms are far easier to address than causes and that is what United States is now dealing with — not the
causes.
In its desire to get results in Afghanistan, the United States is now relying on unsavoury characters like the Northern Alliance — a gang of criminals, who
according to very recent UN reports, are responsible for the most amount of drugs grown and exported in Afghanistan. These guys
would sell their mother if the price is right and in the past, when they did control power in Afghanistan, killed and raped hundereds of
innocent people. Now they are our ally.
Canada has an important role to play in the world and this role concerns being a level-headed nation that is capable of thinking
before reacting. I hope this character of Canada will remain intact as it goes into this new war and add some sanity to plans for
dealing with terrorism.
John Abbott
I'm one of those bleeding-heart, socialist thinkers that believes the United States
has reaped what it has sown. I am not proud to be a member of my country
because I believe what we really stand for is not as noble as all the
grandiose retoric about freedom or democracy. The imperiled Canadian
identity has its only meaningful substance from the social democratic
vestiges still left standing from the thirties — a time when widespread
suffering due to poverty made the nation compasionate and strong enough to
politically articulate social justice.
We are living now in an age where
there are less clear lines between innocence and collective responsibility.
With the death of communism, the subversion of the third way and the
incompetence of the rest of the centre-left, the only all-encompasing global
ideology left to oppose the extreme social injustice inflicted upon the
third world is Islam.
Progressive liberals of all nations should stand for peace, for justice
and for the principles that engender democracy with its virtues. The greatest
good for the greatest many. That's what makes democracy meaningful.
We are all responsible for allowing democracy to be so
subverted. The good guys don't wear white hats anymore. The much lauded
freedom of the West is actually only the freedom of the rich to exploit the
poor.
The attacks, the retaliation, the global response to terrorism and
invoking of article 5, has made us all targets. They've made pan-Islamic unity more
of a reality and made it vital, crucial and a matter of life and death
that we seriously reinvest on a global level in peace, in justice and
democracy.
Jim
Phillipoff
Victoria, British Columbia
After decades of global embarrassment in its inability to respond to anti-American terrorist attacks, the United
States now finds itself being given wide powers to squelch anti-American sentiment thanks to the 19 men that
attacked Americans on American soil.
Having breached weak U.S. airport security, and using only makeshift knives, four small suicide squads were able
to take control of U.S. aircraft and transform them into human-guided missiles. The small-scale simplicity of
this attack has been relegated to the back pages of Western media. Instead, the focus has been placed on
Osama bin Laden and his small band of followers, yet unproven to be the faces behind those attacks.
Why? Because this is a golden opportunity for the U.S. to exploit its injuries and carry out a global cleansing of
anti-Americanism wherever it may be. In the first two attack waves alone, nearly $100 million worth of
missiles were showered on those who are yet innocent until proven guilty. Simply by association with those
who speak against American foreign policy and U.S. presence in the Middle East, these people have been
targeted for execution, regardless of the cost in U.S. dollars or human lives.
It shames me as a Canadian to see our country blindly follow the U.S. plan without question. Canada is a
country of peace, once a proud maker of peace respected by nations the world over. Now, with
diminished ability for objectivity in its tight integration with U.S. economic forces, we no longer hold those
peaceful values so close to our hearts. The silence, where there should be calls for peaceful resolution and a
bringing to justice of those involved in the attacks on the United States, is deafening.
Steve Taylor
Victoria, British Columbia
It seems that every terrorist group or movement in history had a strong ideological base, which in the mind of its members justified the group's (and
its members') actions. Also, every such movement seems to have had a smaller group of public supporters, and a significantly larger group of covert
supporters who only in private would admit to agreeing with, at least some of the group's goals and objectives. I believe that we are facing a very
similar situation today.
While it is necessary to uphold the law and protect innocent lives, even if that involves military force — military force alone — without an open and fair
discussion of the issues that are fueling the extremists' actions and the sympathy of the silent majority of their supporters, we cannot solve the
problem.
If we really want to eradicate terrorism, we have to not only take away the weapons (which is becoming more and more difficult), but more
importantly, address and neutralise the issues that are fueling the lethal sentiments of the extremists, and the sentiments of their silent supporters.
Sadly enough, up to now we have seen nothing of the latter, only military force. Perhaps Canada could take the lead in identifying and introducing
these issues in the UN and at the G-7 countries meetings.
Antal Prokecz
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
All the checkpoints in the world cannot protect us from terrorism. We
cannot prevent desperate people from seeking a way out. Their only way demanded self-destruction, and they offered
their lives to bring to the attention of the rest of the world the
extreme situation in their countries. When rebels in their countries
kill thousands of starving
people (with the help of western weapons smugglers), we call that "trouble" and we send in helpless peacekeepers to
watch the slaughter. Can you imagine the terror those people are trying
to escape? Through our reckless spending, we take more than our fair
share of the world's goods. Just because we have the money, doesn't mean
we have the right to make life unbearable for others. Instead of bombs
and care packages, people need peace and a way of earning a decent
living. That's what our selfishness is denying them. Now they have, as a
last resort, attacked the United States and promise to keep on doing so until
they get results. Theirs is the revenge. Ours the attack.
Hilda Gossi
Prince Edward Island
For a superpower like the United States, with their intelligence and firepower, striking back with blind vengeance only reveals how brutal this war is going to be. Their goal of this mission is going to show the world that they are not a country to be messed with — we learned that from Pearl Harbor. Do we need to see how superior they are by a tragedy worse than Hiroshima and Nagasaki? The number of people killed by their retaliation may be small by comparison but it still affects my peace in my corner of the world.
Conrad Laboucane
Vancouver, British Columbia
I think that Canada should keep its distance from the actions currently underway in Afghanistan. I realize that we are a member of NATO, but this does not necessarily mean that we should just throw in with an action of such nature and magnitude. I believe that if the United States widens its campaign of retaliatory strikes to countries other than Afghanistan, there will be a real possibility of this affair becoming global in nature. My best advice for the federal government would be to keep quiet, provide logistic support to the Afghan region when the fighting is over and not to appear to be in the same camp as the United States. We can certainly do without terrorist attacks on Canadian soil.
Kurt Dorward
Winnipeg, Manitoba
I am disgusted with Chretien's stance on the issue. Canada is known as a peace-keeping nation - one that I was proud to be a part of. Today, I feel shame after hearing Chretien's comments. Each sentence he uttered, saying that "thousands of innocent people were slaughtered by terrorists in ..." could have easily been followed with Kabul rather than New York City. When will people realize that the US is simply not justified in bombing a nation for the sole reason of appeasing their public?
Tahir Janmohamed
Toronto,Ontario
As a retired member of the Royal Canadian Regiment, Canadas oldest and best regular force infantry unit, I cannot help but feel trepidation for our troops heading to Afganistan. For years the Canadian Forces has suffered cutbacks in personnel, massive financial cuts and therefore loss of training and much needed equipment. I salute the Prime Minister for his actions in sending a Canadian Contingent. For many years now we have been a "peacekeeping" country, while allowing many immigrants into the country without the proper security checks. Let's hope for the sake of the loved ones left here in Canada that the 2000 troops pick up in dedication and honour where governmental support left off.
Steven Landry
Moncton, New Brunswick
Canada must protect its Citizens by securing our ports of entry at the
borders and the airports. Our security is severely lacking and we must not
be foolish enough to deceive ourselves into believing that it could not
happen in Canada. Every effort must be made to find, prosecute and bring to
justice those who are responsible with these despicable acts of terrorism.
Canada's immigration policy is an open door invitation to terrorists that
must be drastically changed in order to secure the future of our country for
generations to come. We must ensure that those who immigrate are not
illegitamite refugees, criminals or terrorists. Furthermore, the vast
majority of immigrants should be highly skilled, educated and law abiding
people who will benefit our society and become patriots of Canada
irregardless of their race, color or creed.
Our Government
must show leadership, justice and a sense of accountability in a world of
violence and uncertainty . . . were still waiting. Finally, all Canadians
should re-affirm their patriotism. Remember when you sing the National
Anthem . . . "Oh Canada, I stand on Guard for Thee."
R. DeJong
When is the Canadian Govenment going to get off its pockets and tighten up this country's borders. They gave themselves a big fat raise, now earn it.
We have terrorist groups all throughout this country and if it wasn't for the RCMP keeping tabs on these groups, Canada would be a good target.
What are you waitng for PM, the Bay street towers to be crumbled before you do something.
Stan Hayden
Thunder Bay,Ontario
Intelligence gathering and global communications are 2 key areas where Canada could probably excel at with the number of available personal and with the high degree of technology that is available to us. The Canadian government should act quickly to initate development and progress in these areas to bolster Canada's tarnished image from its poor security performance in the global community. We as North Americans have now experienced what Israel and many other countries have accepted as a normal occurrence in every day life. Canada is viewed as a safe and secure place to live, that standard is in serious jeopardy regardless of what our politicans want us to hear or believe. If we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem.
Bruce Bellows
Aurora, Ontario
I am a Chinese Canadian. Two years ago my parents (from China) had a three
month visit to a university in the U.S. as guests of a Engineering professor
there. After that, they planned to visit me. However, when they went to our
consulate in Buffalo, they were denied visitor visa on the grounds " TOO
STRONG TIES TO NORTH AMERICA", as all their children are Canadians. How
sad was that experience to my family and my parents. We were punished by
being Canadians.
Now, look at the other side of our immigration policy. People with no proper
documents, NO TIES to Canada whatsoever, and maybe having ties to
Terrorists, have been given better treatment at out borders as soon as they
claim to be "Refugee". They were entertained at TAX payers cost for
unlimited time. What do we get in return? Nothing at the best, and bombs at
the worst.
Jesse Zhang, PhD, P.Eng.
Stoney Creek, Ontario
I am pleased that Mr. Collenette feels comfortable with safety in the sky and at the airports.I hope he and his colleques keep Air canada in the air. As a consumer of that service, we will fly West Jet and on U.S. Airlines as we have faith in the safety measures they have put and are putting in place. Mr. Collenette and his government need to wake up to the fact that it is you and I as a consumer that will decide if enough is being done to safeguard the business traveller and families. We are looking for intelligent leadership. Those of us who travel frequently are well aware of the present problems in the airport security system.
Colleen Mcleod
Alberta
I am disapointed with my Government for not being more aggressive with including Canadians in the fight against terrorism.
We do not have a military that could fight for us, why is that? Well I guess we have the U.S. and their tax payers to cover for us. Time we at least put in a sincere effort with our own tax dollars to help the U.S. fight this battle of terrorism and put forth 100%. I realize individual Canadians are making an effort to ease the pressure, but what is our Government doing? Our voice, where is our voice?
Lee Veres
Calgary,Alberta
After more than two weeks our Prime Minister finally decides to go to New York City to view the damage. Why has it taken so long for him to do this, especially when so many World leaders went to N.Y.C. within the week of the tragedy to pay their respects. Canada, or at least our government leaders, appear to be very reluctant to demonstrate their support. I get the feeling our Prime Minister is very reluctant to take a stand. He does not appear too willing to see that terrorists groups cease to exist in Canada. I have heard all the "political" excuses I care to hear as to why nothing is being done and why our armed forces are not even prepared for action. I am embarassed to be Canadian under the present Liberal Gov't.
Edward Klassen
Hamilton, Ontario
I am actually quite proud of our Prime Minister in the fact that he has not
let his ego get in the way by over-reacting to the 'great snub' or by
rushing to New York for a photo opportunity. We were all upset by the
'snub' and would love to react angrily, but maybe now is not the time. We
would all love to see the disaster site for ourselves, but maybe now is not
convenient for those most affected. Perhaps he realised a visit to
'ground-zero' could serve no real purpose and would only get in the way of
rescue and recovery efforts. I feel comfort in
the fact that Prime Minister Chretien is a more reasoned and pragmatic
statesman than any alternative leader in Canada.
Robert Haller
London, Ontario
During the few days following the WTC disaster I found myself watching our parliament in session, via television. I had seen two great nations pull together, but what was I seeing in my government. I saw an exhibition of behaviour that would rival a kindergarten class as the political bashing went on and on with no resolve or resolution to any of the issues. This was my government, the people I helped elect. I felt ashamed. Here we are the closest nation in the world to the United States, with a shared history and blood ties. Why were we not reacting the same as the people of America? Well, I will answer my own question, by saying we the people were and are in support of any actions that the United States and the Democratic Coalition agree upon in the process of destroying terrorism. My shame lies in having leaders that for once could not put down their party political differences and unite as our brothers and sisters did, south of the forty-ninth parallel. The antics that happen in the House of Commons are childish, and this is not the way to run a government. There has been no decisiveness by the present government, especially when leaders say one thing then contradict themselves. The Prime Minister’s job is to lead not have temper tantrums. It is governments of this sort that make Canada the laughing stock of the world.
Robert Tucker
Newfoundland
I am impressed and proud of the manner in which the Canadian Government is handling the current situation. Chretien is maintaining a level head and conducting himself as the compassionate, thoughtful leader that we as Canadians expect him to be. He is showing that Canadians are an independent nation, entitled to our own policies and regulations. I believe he is in line with the opinions of the majority of Canadians, and is representing our voice very effectively.
B. Beecroft
Burlington,Ontario
Up until Sept 11th I was proud to call myself a Canadian. I was living
and working in one of the best countries in the world. Now I am ashamed
to tell anyone my nationality. The response, or lack there of, of our
spineless politicians to the events of Sept 11th is pathetic to say the
least. As the United States' closest ally, we should have been the
first to rally to their side instead of sitting on our hands waiting to
see what the international community was going to do. Well, what can we
expect, this is the typical Canadian way. I'm sorry to say this won't
cut it this time. Our leaders need to get off their cushy chairs and do
exactly what they were elected to do - LEAD! Watching Jean Chretien
give a press conference after meeting with Bush was an embarrassment for
all Canadians.
As for our military, it is so outdated and under funded it would be a
hindrance to any international force. Even if we were asked to send
troops, we don't have enough to send or enough equipment to send with
them. Its a sad state of affairs to say the least.It is time we
step up and do our part in the War against terrorism and stand with the
international coalition. Enough is enough - the U.N. sums it up nicely -
an attack against one is an attack against all!
Rob Cole
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Sadly our own government is bereft of real leaders. It is not until our Prime Minister goes to Washington that we actually hear some tepid words of support from him. And when he comes home he speaks to us from the cozy confines of a liberal fund raiser. And are we any the wiser? No! Does he take us into his confidence? No! Does he try to galvanize Canadians or prepare us for the task ahead? No! In short, does he show LEADERSHIP? NO !! Instead he says people entering Canada don't "have a sign on their heads saying they are terroists!"
Well it's a tough job.
The Prime Minister and his government show us each day that they are not up to this task. Unfortunately for us they are all we've got. And yet, if we could see some decisive action and hear some inspiring words from our government in the proper symbolic forum I truly believe Canadians would respond in the same way as Americans have responded to their government.
Bob Stone
Edmonton, Alberta
It is wrong to think that increasing resources at the border or at public
venues will eliminate all risks. We can introduce legislation and beef up
immigration and refugee requirements, but that is also no guarantee! The
groups behind these recent attacks are driven by ideology and passion.
These qualities are impossible to identify by looking at an application
form, or scanning a car or a piece of luggage. We would have to stop the
free flow of goods and people to limit the risk from abroad, but that does
little to address the danger that is present within the borders of both
Canada and the United States. It is too easy to think that we must stop
people from coming to our shores and not address the existence of those
already here and willing to sacrifice for their beliefs.
Stephen James
I am stunned and in total disbelief that our prime minister has not agreed with the president to
tighten our borders. Instead , he keeps referring to 'our values'. What in his mind are they - allowing
terrorists to freely come and go.
Hopefully our American brethren can see thru some of our spineless politicians and realize that the people here have the same values
as they have,
freedom and liberty.
Michael Krisa
Calgary, Alberta
I think laws for immigration have to be tightened in this Country. It is much too easy for terrorists to enter into our country. I would have thought that what happened in the states on September 11/01 would have opened the eyes of our government officials to tighten the requirements for immigration to our Country.
Sheila McKay
Crane River,Manitoba
In light of everything that has happened the idea of not changing our immigration policies is not only unbelievable it is dangerous. The time has come for Canada to recognize that it may not be possible to live safely without tighter controls over who is allowed into our country. We cannot keep allowing people who immigrate to be allowed the same freedoms and entitlements as Canadian citizens. We have earned the rights they have not. We must now do what we can to protect our Country and our citizens. The Prime Minister's comment that we will not allow terrorists to change our way of life does not make us feel very safe. If we don't make some changes in our way of life we will continue to live in fear and then the terrorists have really won.
Gayle Gunthermele
Brantford,Ontario
I believe that Chretien's policy on open immigration is obtuse to say the least and not to mention petty and spiteful against the U.S.What is it about our governments,are they so blind and stupid that they don't see what is going on around them.I think that they have put us in a potentially dangerous situation by not recognizing the fact that there is bound to be traitors among us and taking steps to protect us from them.What do we do,wait until we take a hit then act after the fact.
Morris Robertsonn
northern Ontario
Once again our Prime Minister has placed our country in harm's way. I like most Canadians was an immigrant at one point, but times have changed, the way we are going our life in the future will be determined by how we protect our country against terrorism, and how we deal with that threat.
We have the longest undefended border in the world, and anyone can walk across that border at almost any point across Canada, our back door to the USA is open and unlocked.
Maybe its time we put a lock on the front door!
Ken Taylor
Abbotsford,B.C.
Chretien has just given a signal to "undesirables" that Canada is still an easy target for getting themselves into North America without too much trouble. One of these days Canada will be affected by some terrorist's plot and it will be too late. I strongly feel that our immigrant policies should be stricter.
Joan Murphy
Toronto,Ontario
The fact that our immigration policy will not change in the aftermath of the world trade centre disaster displays the continuing nerve on the part of our leaders. Its really a numbers game in some ways- the more immigrants the greater the number of criminals that will sneak through the cracks- this country needs a complete overhaul of its immigration and refugee policies, otherwise criminal activity will continue to rise.
Brad Saltzberg
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