A COMPLETE WHITEWASH ON MARIJUANA ISSUE

Editor, The News:

Re: (White: Canada criminal haven,' A5, Oct. 13):

Abbotsford Conservative MP Randy White is certainly entitled to his
views; one of the great things about our country is the freedom of
expression.

I believe that we will enjoy that freedom much longer than our
neighbors to the south if present trends continue. To say that there
is no such thing as an American refugee is to ignore history.

Canada has been a refuge for Americans going back to slavery in the
19th century.

The Vietnam War era also stands out as a time when Americans came to
Canada to escape persecution. The U.S. has one of the highest
incarceration rates in the world, yet it hasn't solved its social problems.

Do we really want to walk lockstep with the U.S. in every
way?

We surely have problems with our immigration system as it is, but I
don't think I am going out on a limb to say that we Canadians do not
want criminals to enter our land and hide under our coattails.

Would White have advocated sending former black slaves back to their
"owners" had he been there? I am sure there were some who advocated
the deportation of fleeing ex-slaves back in those days.

Patrick AuCoin

Abbotsford