Political meddling goes both ways

Re: “Government must get serious about foreign meddling, Apr. 16:

Phil Gurski is correct when he says, “We need a government to take intelligence and threats seriously.” Our leaders need to pay attention to the information provided by intelligence agencies. However, they also need to consider the bigger picture before acting.

Many immigrants to Canada didn't come here because they dislike or fear the government in their birth land. They came here because of an economic or educational opportunity. They often stay and become citizens but retain ties to family and friends at home. Even the children and grandchildren of immigrants often have a sense of connection with their ancestral homeland. Immigrants often maintain professional or business connections with the land of their origin. Those Canadians do not like officials or candidates who portray their homeland as an evil enemy and try to erect walls between the two countries. These citizens do not need to be paid or threatened to oppose candidates with whom they do not agree. Their activities do not constitute foreign meddling. They are an expression of opinion by citizens of this country.

On the other hand, many immigrants or refugees do come here because of fear or disagreement with the political system of their homeland. Once here, they use Canada as a safe base from which they work to overthrow, or drastically change, their homeland's government. Sometimes they help to finance organizations that oppose that government. When people living in Canada try to interfere in the politics of another country, that country views their efforts as foreign meddling and may try to stop such actions.

It is hypocritical to object to foreign meddling in our country while allowing people based here to interfere in the affairs of other countries.

Dave Parnas, Ottawa