Mistakes happen
We all make mistakes, but I think this person needs to try harder.
So this person confronts a Filipino woman in downtown Athabasca and makes a little speech along the lines of, “I know you, you work at such-and-such place and you and your friends make trouble for my son/daughter, and you’re not Canadian and you should go home.”
If those words sound familiar, if those words came out of your mouth, then you should know –
1) That’s a lousy way to speak to a person;
2) That Filipino woman never (ever) worked at the place with your son/daughter and you are plain wrong.
But I know, they all look the same, right?
Shame on you.
Finally, that Filipino woman is a permanent resident. She’s Canadian.
Maybe someone appreciates you cruising the streets of Athabasca measuring the Canadian content in people, but I’m not one of them.
Speaking for myself – and I hope for others, – we can do better here.
The Filipinos I meet work hard, they are generous, they contribute to the community.
If you have a problem with the TFWP (temporary foreign worker program), contact your MP (Member of Parliament).
Don’t take it out on someone you randomly meet on the street.
You were wrong, wrong, wrong.
“It ain’t where you’re from it’s where you’re at,” once sung by a performer we had right here at our gazebo on the town commons, thank you River Rats.
I’d like to think that’s what Canada is all about.
We’re all in this together.
We can do better.
Mike MacLean
Athabasca
