Mr. Cran’s letter (Tyler Cran, Jan. 27) is a long list of opinions camouflaged as facts. As a reader of the Chronicle for the past 25 years, I think I can trust other readers to recognize the difference.
Mr. Cran favourably cites William Gairdner (of Toronto, no less). While I was born in Toronto, I have never thought to claim that fact as a basis for recommendation. Gairdner’s opinions are controversial. In his book ‘The Trouble with Canada’ (1990, revised 1994) Gairdner promotes what is essentially a race-based immigration policy.
For Gairdner, the master-citizen is white, originating in the British Isles or Europe (but not France apparently) and preferably English-speaking. For a scholarly opinion of the racially-based language employed by Gairdner, the interested reader can consult “Neo-conservative racist discourse: A Canadian Case Study” by Donna L. Lillian, free online.
The “excellent” article by Gairdner and promoted by Mr. Cran is likely one published recently in Epoch Times. I don’t share Mr. Cran’s opinion that the article is well written or always credible, but other readers can judge for themselves. Readers may not know that Epoch Times is published by the Chinese religious sect Falun Gong which demonstrates many of the characteristics of a typical cult. Falun Gong also uses the renowned dance troupe Shen Yun to raise funds for the group.
Epoch Times has cast itself as a rabid supporter of the ex-president of the USA, primarily because they considered Trump to be their best opportunity to bash the current leadership of China, where Falun Gong faces persecution. There is an irony here that may have escaped Epoch Times: Gairdner in his 1990 book supported the idea of quotas for immigrants to Canada who are ethnic Chinese. To be fair, he promoted the same idea for other non-white ethnic groups. Finally, in tribute to their biases, Epoch Times repeatedly described the mob who attacked the US Capitol as “protesters,” rather than insurrectionists or domestic terrorists, which is more accurate.
The cry of victimhood from Mr. Cran (“voices like mine are silenced”) is not credible. I doubt that Mr. Cran’s voice has been silenced – certainly not in this paper. Such claims are less credible when they come from individuals who represent the dominant cultural group and linguistic majority with all the implied benefits such as access to a sophisticated education system and quality social services. Canada is blessed with multiple opportunities to participate in political discourse and to affect the way the country is governed.
Finally, Mr. Cran directs his harshest opinion at “the demon of them all, social media”. However, the greatest danger may not be the “brainwashing” of Canadian youth. From their own testimonies, many of the rioters at the US Capitol – who often appeared to be in a brainwashed condition – used social media to plan and coordinate their assault. Like many technologies, social media can be used in different ways. On a positive note, my extended family (one of Gairdner’s F’s) uses social media to bridge the gap of great distance. And my faith community (another of Gairdner’s F’s), uses social media to maintain cohesion and traditions during the pandemic.
Brad Lucas, Oliver
