Dear Editor,
Re: “Hate and intolerance has no place in Canada,” Letters, online, Aug. 22.
May I suggest Karina Reid use a mirror when looking to identify the potential for hate and intolerance in Richmond?
It takes someone prepared to study before acting, to seek the facts before writing, to realize the impact before hitting “send.”
She jumps to the role of executioner, finding hypocrisy in Mr. Chiu’s positive post about Pride week, because he voted against the recent bill to ban conversion therapy.
Mr. Chiu — gasp — used to work in a Christian organization. Terrifying! We all know THOSE people aren’t tolerant, right?
Ms. Reid organized a team to write colourful slogans on signs, placed them on Mr. Chiu’s office premises, and highlighted that “they were immediately taken down the next day.” So dramatic.
Did any of these enlightened individuals ask Mr. Chiu why he voted as he did?
I was curious, so I Googled his MP website. There it was, clear as day, titled “My Positions” and this on LGBT+ Canadians, where he clearly stated that he was “firmly against” conversion therapy and was in support of banning it on the first vote but couldn’t on the final vote due to the “Liberals refusal to provide adequate safeguards...”
And the kicker, at the end: “A Conservative government, with the support of (MP Chiu), will ban all forms of...conversion therapy.”
Acting as an adult, our MP recognized that challenging badly written laws is his job.
Having no law, and taking time to get it right, is always better than rushing through a piece with gaping holes in it.
In the world of the woke warrior and Ms. Reid, inclusiveness isn’t for all — people of certain faith or mature thought needn’t apply.
Roy Oostergo
RICHMOND
