Just as its bigger neighbor is determined to tighten the sovereignty of its territorial borders and more importantly improve the security of its citizens, here comes Canada with its huge political correctness and moral ascendancy posturing by proclaiming to the world that it will wholeheartedly take on the refugees "rejected" by President Donald Trump and the U.S.
Bravo! Headline-making and trending kind of news that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of liberals and Trump-haters. It will also make Canada- a country in spite of its obvious prosperity and advancement has not truly made it as a super power or even just a highly influential global player yet- look even more admirably politically-correct before the world, and its Prime Minister Justin Trudeau even more appealing in the eyes of hard-core liberals. There's also a political term for Trudeau's pronouncement: pure and simple, loud and clear, mere grandstanding.
Trudeau posted a Twitter message on Saturday purportedly in reaction to President Trump's executive order calling for the temporary 90-day ban on U.S. entry for Muslims from seven countries known to be strongholds of Islamic terrorists, and the similarly temporary 120-day suspension of the U.S. refugee program, especially those from Syria. Trudeau, in spite of knowing fully well that the Trump administration is still deeply in the midst of further explaining and providing context to the American public and the world about the recent move, wanted a piece of the action- and much attention- with the tweet: " To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength.#WelcomeToCanada."
Trudeau also posted his 2015 photo showing him greeting a Syrian child at the Toronto airport. If Trudeau wishes to play the hero, well and good. It is just hoped that he realizes the implications of his statement, and it's not just a knee-jerk reaction to a burning controversy that is gripping the world. More so, it remains to be seen whether Canada is truly serious about such declaration, and if there would be a concrete follow-through on its sweet promise.
Trudeau should know Trump did not fulfill his campaign promise for mere political posturing, but for a determined effort to improve the safety of American citizens by an adequate and systematic vetting system for immigrants, visitors and refugees entering the U.S. The country is facing grave problems and challenges with security issues, and decisive actions are needed to address concerns. Trudeau should know that Trump has long realized that mere political correctness won't solve America's immigration and security woes, as we have seen during the 8-year term of former president Barack Obama.
The world also knows that the Syrian refugee crisis is a sensitive issue for Canada and its citizens, even becoming a crucial issue in the 2015 election because of the haunting image of a drowned 3-year old Syrian boy washed up in a Turkish beach, completely alone and abandoned. The boy sadly happened to have relatives in Canada. Maybe Trudeau is still in a cleansing process brought by that tragic event? Or perhaps he wants to deaden the memory- and the world's recollection of that incident- and score political cookie points now as he rides on Trump's move on immigration and refugee program?
Trudeau is set to visit the White House soon and his spokesperson jumped on the bandwagon and added more bravado when she said that " the Prime Minister is looking forward to discussing the successes of Canada's immigration and refugee policy with the President when they next speak."
So Trudeau wants to lecture Trump now on immigration and refugee policy? He should know first that Trump is not out to sow hatred and division but only desire to keep Americans safe and fix the system that's why the bans are temporary to allow for better vetting of immigrants and refugees. At least with Trump, he understands the root causes of the problems and ready to take necessary, even seemingly provocative actions. It can only be hoped that Trudeau has a similar complete grasp of the challenge as well, beyond political posturing and the need to look good before his countrymen and the world.
