While many of the B次元官网网址楩ix Canada FirstB次元官网网址� posters found in Victoria bus stops have been torn down since they were spotted on Dec. 12, their anti-refugee sentiments have been debated B次元官网网址� and even live on B次元官网网址� in the comments of B次元官网网址 readers.
Some admonished the posters, which read: B次元官网网址淔ix Canada First. No more refugees. Take care of Canadians first. We have our own homeless/seniors/vets & health care to fix first.B次元官网网址�
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Ian Ward wrote, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 disheartening to read how ignorant people are. One doesnB次元官网网址檛 inherently happen at the expense of the otherB次元官网网址ou can take care of those citizens in need, our veterans, and fund healthcare CONCURRENTLY with welcoming refugees fleeing war and persecution. You just need the political will to do it. Sadly these posters reflect the ignorance rampant in our country and sadly, on many of our Facebook feeds.B次元官网网址�
To WardB次元官网网址檚 comment, someone suggested making a new poster with his words on it.
One reader, Wayne Seator, said he had helped rip down some of the posters he found. B次元官网网址淭hey make me sick!B次元官网网址� he commented.
But not everyone thought the posters should be taken down. Instead, their critism was aimed at those who opposed the anti-refugee stance. Some said they agreed with the poster, and didnB次元官网网址檛 believe it had any racist or hateful ideas.
Leigh-Anne Hoffman was one of the supporters, writing, B次元官网网址淚 agree. We canB次元官网网址檛 even take care of our own citizens. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no money for Veterans or the homeless with mental issues, but a surplus for immigrants? I just donB次元官网网址檛 see the logic.B次元官网网址�
In response, Amber Gillan told Hoffman, B次元官网网址淯nfortunately I think you have some false information on refugee funding. The amount of monthly financial support that government-assisted refugees get is based on provincial social assistance rates. They get the same as any other family accessing social services. They also have to repay the cost of travel to Canada, with interest. Additionally, any refugees who are privately sponsored or those who claim refugee status after coming as asylum seekers are not entitled to any federal or provincial assistance.B次元官网网址�
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The debate waged on, some offended by insinuations of racism.
The most liked comment was written by Kerene Loewen, which said: B次元官网网址淯nless you are First NationsB次元官网网址� you are a product of immigrationB次元官网网址� stop the ignorance.B次元官网网址�
Ruth Paul, had a similar sentiment, commenting, B次元官网网址淲e are all New Canadians except for Indigenous peoples B次元官网网址� embrace humankind.B次元官网网址�
More readers shared their familyB次元官网网址檚 story of immigrating to Canada, adding how generations of their families have paid taxes in Canada, thereby supporting their fellow Canadians.
Alma Lemo described her experience: B次元官网网址淏次元官网网址橳he roads suck, the schools suck, health care sucksB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� do you know what the people seeking refuge in Canada are running from? Places where roads and homes are destroyed by the remnants of war, places where those things may not even exist. Do you know what itB次元官网网址檚 like to have a bomb fall in your backyard at 6 years old? Because I do. ThatB次元官网网址檚 what my family escaped when Canada allowed us to immigrate. And we were not a burden on the Canadian system, we were sponsored to come here, as many are. Doctors and dentists volunteered to treat us out of their own generosity until we were Canadian citizens who would then pay into those services just like every Canadian born citizen. We didnB次元官网网址檛 receive any special funding or money for immigrating like so many uneducated and misinformed people want to believe when they criticize immigration. The government does not deliver handouts, like you seem to believe. And there is certainly enough landmass and wealth to allow those leaving unspeakable circumstances a chance at survival.B次元官网网址�
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keili.bartlett@blackpress.ca
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