Injustice still exists in Canada

RE: Sesquicentennial more sombre than celebratory (June 27)

I was pleased to read Margaret Shkimba’s editorial about the dark stain on Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations as a result of our government’s appalling treatment of Indigenous people as outlined in the Truth & Reconciliation Act (TRA).

As Canadians, we pride ourselves on living in a society which is historically less racially divided than our American neighbours. However, racism and inequality continue to exist on both sides of the border. The current living conditions on some reserves, the murdered and missing indigenous women and high suicide rates in northern indigenous communities are just a few examples of the ongoing disparity. In addition, the Canadian government’s internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War and its refusal to accept 907 Jewish refugees seeking sanctuary from Nazi Germany are also low points in our history. According to a recent report by The United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent “Canada’s history of enslavement, racial segregation, and marginalization, has had a deleterious impact on people of African descent which must be addressed in partnership with communities.”

A survey conducted of 80 countries by the U.S. News and World Report ranked Canada the second best after Switzerland based on economic influence, citizenship and quality of life. However, injustices, both past and present, definitely detract from its high ranking. Canadians must continue to educate themselves on the unedited version of our history and have open conversations. By doing so, we can move toward a blemish-free Canada Day celebration in time for the bicentennial. Andrea Rado, Hamilton