My Name is Eric Peters and I'm An Addict...

My name is Eric Peters. My condition started when I was a young lad in mismatched clothes and ragged tattered shoes that my mother bought for me at the neighbourhood discount store. At first, I didn’t notice that I was different, but it clearly became apparent. Everybody around looked like me, they spoke like me, and they liked me. Through my teen years into high school, I went out with friends, caused ruckus every once in a while, skipped class every once in a while, and went to unsupervised parties.

Although I may have looked and acted like a typical student, I hid my Conservative Ways from my friends, shooting the soothing voices of Conservative MPs in Parliament in my veins after school.

Or not. I’m a Conservative because I believe in the potential of people. All [people] who have the ability to work and contribute to our society should have a government that encourages them to do so. Progressive Conservatives also recognize that some [people] have unique challenges due to circumstances beyond their control and government should be there to assist them. –Frank Klees-

I would take his definition a little further though and add “and provide them opportunity” at the end of the sentence. I prefer the title Progressive rather than Conservative. I don’t believe in the connotation that the status quo must be maintained simply because it’s the status quo. The envelope must always be pushed and the way that things are done must be constantly reviewed and amended as necessary to make this community, state, and society work and work well.

Who better than a Progressive?

Who’s Line Is It Anyway?

I never really understood the hoopla that's created when somebody suggests that new immigrants learn either English of French. Well, sort of. Many times, the idea is floated around by self-styled 'conservatives' whom are more concerned, or comfortable with, the idea of us and them. I can no doubt understand that the reaction, to their reaction, is to be defensive. Anybody who's ever been on the receiving end of vulgarities while being besieged with banshee-like demands can tell you, you catch more fly's with honey than you do with vinegar.

The not-so-subtle attack on new immigrants is so blatant, that even when the threat isn't present, new immigrants, perhaps as a defence mechanism, know to have their guard up against all attacks. Coupled with the other obstacles that new immigrants face when trying to familiarize and become grounded in their new home, I can understand the instinctive desire that would compel them to ‘arms’, pardon the dramatics.

That being said, learning one or both of the official languages is certainly the best way to integrate themselves into their new home. It’s quite easy to find members of your specific ‘group’ in Canada, especially in the larger municipalities. However, that in my opinion is not what Canada is. Canada is a nation that aims to reflect what the world could be: a mix of diverse people working towards a common purpose, using the strengths of their specific cultures and experiences, shaped by those cultures, to make a better place.

The cultural mosaic of Canada however, needs a common thread. That common thread is communication. Too often, new immigrants choose to sit on the sidelines, only learning the most basic English terms to get by in general society. This is the greatest impediment to their growth and prosperity in their new found home. They’re ideas can only really be brought to the fore front and heard if they speak either language.

As Canadians, we must honour and appreciate the efforts made by new immigrants, and newly minted Canadians to learn the language(s). Although at times it may be difficult to understand, patience and encouragement must be the tools that we use in order to help them make all of us better. We’ve seen that having marginalized segments in society is not beneficial for the whole.

So in closing, new immigrants, learn the language – and old Canadians extend a hand and show some patience because it could be that new immigrant who holds the cure for Cancer or AIDS in his or her mind, but can’t communicate it to the detriment of us all.