Language binds us together

Re: Don’t take advantage of Canada’s inclusiveness.

I would like to commend Tom Zheng for his excellent letter in Sunday’s paper. Zheng has articulated very well the need for immigrants in general, and Chinese in particular, to integrate into Canadian society.

One of the best ways to do this is to learn and communicate in at least one of Canada’s official languages. Certainly, we should be proud of our heritage, culture, language and customs, etc. However, at the same time, we must also recognize our civic responsibility of being a resident/citizen of this great country called Canada.

As Canadians, we must make every effort to learn at least one, if not both, of Canada’s official languages: English and French. Our common language is the glue that binds all of us together as Canadians, regardless of our ethnic, cultural, geographical or religious backgrounds.

Unfortunately, in Richmond, the controversy over Chinese-language signage and now this issue of a Chinese-only strata-council meetings don’t bode well for intercultural harmony, multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Let’s hope that Richmond’s Chinese-Canadian community leadership will accept the challenge thrown by Zheng and take appropriate steps to amicably resolve issues like these.

Balwant Sanghera, Richmond