Conservative MP John Williamson said “whities” are having to stay at home while companies “bring in brown people” in reference to his government`s temporary foreign workers program.
Dear Editor,
I was shocked to read Conservative MP John Williamson’s racist remarks on temporary foreign workers at a conference in Ottawa.
At a time when people of all cultures and races in Canada are collectively living together in peace and harmony such offensive comments stand to completely undermine years of hard work by those championing the cause of multiculturalism in Canada.
Mr. Williamson has perhaps never faced racist slurs, was never demeaned because of his colour or never endured hatred in his life for him to casually comment about “whities“ having to stay at home while `companies “bring in brown people“ in reference to the government`s temporary foreign workers program.
It has taken decades of hard work by individuals, groups and governments alike to bring inclusion and intercultural understanding amongst all Canadians, but sadly words spoken by an elected official such as John Williamson negates all the work done in the
past.
From the tragic incident of the now famous Komagata Maru, to Sikhs being called `rag heads` , to the killing of 65- year-old caretaker of the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey by skin heads; British Columbia has had its share of racist attacks.
Having personally witnessed racism in early 70s and 80s, I took it upon myself to eliminate this scourge from our society because it is every human being’s right to be treated equally and fairly.
In 1980 as President of the BC Organization to Fight Racism, I was successful in stopping the Ku Klux Klan from spreading the message of hatred in BC and therefore when such irresponsible comments come from a responsible member of society I fear a backlash amongst cultural groups again.
I strongly condemn such comments and hope that instead of simply apologizing on twitter, Mr. Williamson does something concrete to bring about intercultural harmony in our largely peaceful Canadian society.
Charan Gill,
Chief Executive Officer
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society
