We must say no to Harper’s bigotry

Re Smear and goading: How Harper lifted the veil on our phobias, Oct. 4 Canadians are in a continuous tug of war between proudly welcoming diversity and protecting minority rights, and threatening to restrict the expression of individual differences. Lucky for Canadians, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and our justice system stand as our most valuable protection against the actions of those who want to curtail choices that make some uncomfortable or run counter to their values or beliefs.

Taking a historical view, we see that issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc., rely on the protections set out in the Charter. Our strength is refusing to succumb to bigotry, prejudice and stereotypes that undermine what is so valuable in protecting the human rights of minorities.

Those of us who were once marginalized and treated as pariahs are today mainstream contributors to our society. Vive la différence and vive la Charter.

Barbara Landau and Shahid Akhtar, co-chairs, Canadian Association of Jews and Muslims, Toronto

The media and many voters, especially those in Quebec, are behaving like the dog in the animated movie Up. While we need to be discussing climate change, the economy, murdered indigenous women, muzzling of our scientists, health-care reform and other subjects that affect most Canadians, Stephen Harper throws out the niqab and we all yell “squirrel” and end up talking about something that affects two people. Or he raises removing someone’s citizenship and we waste our time talking about something that affects one person.

Harper has become Pavlov to a bunch of easily distracted dogs. Let’s not fall for his manipulative devious schemes and concentrate on what really matters. Ken Beckim, Oshawa

When Bloc Québécois leader Gilles Duceppe confused former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney with the late Hollywood actor Art Carney, it may have been a Freudian slip. Perhaps Duceppe believes our economy is in the sewer. Ronald C. Epstein, Toronto