Dear Editor,
This federal election is about kindness.
Is it also about the trade war with the American government? Yes.
Is it also about housing, health care and the dangers of climate change? Yes, yes and yes.
But fundamentally, this election is about kindness.
We see the rhetoric of hate and fear around the world and in particular in our neighbour to the south.
We are witnessing the dismantling of government agencies designed to support all citizens; the single-mindedness of a “win at all cost” philosophy (even if it may be at the expense of honesty and basic human decency); and the division of the people followed by the oppression of the vulnerable.
Kindness is disappearing.
Every election is important and this one is no less so.
The Canada that we cherish so much is under threat.
This election is a chance for us to take a stand, to defend the values of kindness and compassion.
In the face of so many challenges, is it time for us to shirk our responsibility to our fellow Canadians?
Many populist slogans seem to boil down to this one idea: “Cut them off.” Cut off our fellow citizens who need our help, cut off the path to a better environment, cut off hope for a better future.
It is never time to turn our backs on our fellow citizens. In fact, we must double-down on helping the vulnerable in our society — by addressing their housing needs, by expanding health care, including medicines and mental health care, and by helping all citizens to adapt to the effects of climate change.
We have heard a lot about “the common sense approach.” Indeed, we need policies that are, simply put, common sense.
When there is so much homelessness in our cities, isn’t it common sense that we should find a solution to provide shelter for all? When there are health issues that plague our communities, including addiction and mental health challenges, isn’t it common sense that we make an effort to help those in need? When you see members of our community who feel vulnerable because of their backgrounds and identities, isn’t it common sense that we should offer everyone comfort and security, not alienation and oppression? When we have enhanced threats from the forces of nature, like fire, wind, and rain, isn’t it common sense that we should reduce our negative impact and let nature have a chance to heal?
These are the things that a kind society should aspire to do.
When we frame our mind to think of how a policy will lift up all in our world, we are blessed with a richness that is beyond what money can buy.
--Andrew Hung, Port Coquitlam
