Editor:
Re: Turn to new MP for help on immigration case, letter to the editor, Dec. 19
I’d like to set the record straight on the deportation of Paula Terry to the U.S. That was a decision made by the Canadian Border Services Agency during the time of the previous Conservative government.
With the world looking at what to do with 60 million displaced persons, one has to wonder what the Harper Government, as it like to be called, was thinking when it added one more person to that number due to challenges around paperwork.
To the credit of our then MP Kerry Lynne Findlay, she and our office did all they could to both prevent that deportation and help the Terry family with the necessary paperwork. When brought to the attention of current MP Carla Qualtrough, she and her office have taken on facilitating the return of Terry to Canada. When brought to their attention right after the election, they immediately took interest in the case.
We live in an age of cynicism and low expectations when it comes to politicians. As citizens, we have become lazy spectators, expecting our politicians to fix problems and then to leave us alone when something is required of us. We also expect more and more as privileged North Americans but don’t want to pay for it.
I might have missed it but there was not any sympathy expressed in Bob Orrick’s letter nor any offer to help Terry or her family.
Thankfully we are generally blessed here in Delta with politicians at all levels who do work on behalf of those they represent.
Jim Short
