Don’t shun Trosow over citizenship

Opinion Letters to the Editor
London Free Press
Jan 17 2006

Regarding the article, Ward warrior’s not a citizen (Jan. 13).

I was rather shocked and disappointed to see members of city council and other opponents to the 14-ward system attacking the nationality of Sam Trosow.

Whether you agree with Imagine London or not, you attack the idea, not the individual. I don’t even think the word repulsive can properly classify how offensive attacking someone’s nationality really is.

Are civic leaders Bernie McDonald and Tom Gosnell saying that landed immigrants are less worthy Canadians, less worthy members of this community? There are approximately 70,000 hard-working, foreign-born individuals in London, of which a significant number are landed immigrants. They pay their taxes, volunteer in the community and contribute to the multicultural fabric of our city.

To argue in favour of the exclusion of a community member’s civic participation based on his or her nationality is a level of discrimination unbecoming of a leader in our multicultural community and should be universally condemned.

Joshua Dauphinee

London