Murder Capital of Canada?

We received our first entry in, Building an Inclusive, Diverse Community. Mike Westwick of Mission, who is a second year media/communication student at the University of Fraser Valley, became our first contestant. Westwick, an aspiring journalist, who works at Mission McDonalds, is excited about our diversity question: what have you done or what have you do to make our community inclusive. He said, “ I chose to talk about the importance of education in the promotion of community diversity. I have had the opportunity to be educated by family, friends, coaches, and teachers who have been involved with things that have promoted diversity within the cities of Maple Ridge, Mission, and Abbotsford. “ In recent years, I have taken part in projects that have helped promote diversity and community unity. These projects include volunteer swim coaching and involvement with the Special Olympics in Mission."
The duty of this exercise is to promote “citizenship”. Living in the greatest nation in the world, I strongly believe it is our ‘civic duty’ to continuing to make Canada a thriving nation. Citizenship empowers us to enjoy the many freedoms we celebrate daily that don’t exist around the globe. One of these is the freedom of speech giving everyone an equal voice to participate in our democracy. Canada was founded on the principles of diversity and we have reached a point in our young nations history that we can proud of our achievements as a nation. Coming from a black past when visible minorities and women weren’t even allowed to mark ‘X’ on the ballot demonstrates shows how far we have come as Canadians. Former United States President Bill Clinton, who recently assisted in the release of two American journalist from North Korea said: “ In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity, and mutual respect”. The existence of our laws under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was to create a “Just Society” as stated by late prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau recognizing the importance of individual rights. Trudeau, one of founding fathers of multiculturalism in Canada encouraged ‘active citizenship’ and ‘building relationships’. He understood the mechanism and dynamics of a multicultural society under one unified nation. As he said: “ If Canada is to survive, it can only survive in mutual respect and in love for one another”.
Living in one of the most diverse regions of the nation and recently being acclaimed the “ Murder Capital of Canada” there is much work that remains in establishing this respect and love. Holding this unfortunate title should not deter us toward building an inclusive community. Fear creates isolation. Abbotsford is a fantastic community with an exceptional police department that is continuously working around the clock making our community safer every moment of each day. Abbotsford Mayor George Peary said: “ We want people who don’t know us to talk us. Our citizens don’t feel unsafe walking in the streets. We have been caught in a gang war in virtually all the homicides have been young men who have been associated with one or the other gangs. We just had a 5- day country fair (Agri Fair) where thousands of our citizens enjoyed the sights and sounds of the rides of the fair, rodeo, RCMP Musical Ride, fireworks and great food. And this weekend, I will participating in the Abbotsford International AirShow. This is the sort of event that characterizes our city. Our welcome mat is out”.
Abbotsford MLA and BC Attorney General Mike de Jong shared an interesting perspective: “ Our community has been attracting its share of publicity of late due to the activities and criminal behavior of a few. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that this remains a great community inhabited by generous law-abiding citizens.
“The same agency, Stats Canada, that tracks the nefarious activities of thugs and organized gangsters also repeatedly identifies Abbotsford as the most generous community in Canada. This generosity stretches across the community, involving people of all ethnicities: Mennonite, Dutch, South Asian and everyone between”.
This is a very safe community and, regardless of the recent negative publicity, I still consider Abbotsford to be the best place on earth, said de Jong”.
If you’re between the ages of (14 to 26) and want to celebrate your citizenship with your submission in 300 words or less; email me at the address below or drop of your entry at The Times Office on Peardonville.
--- Surjit Atwal and Dan Bue are organizing a forum on Crime Prevention for Youth and Parents. The date will be Sunday, August 16th from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the new Sikh Temple ( 31631 S. Fraser Way , Abbotsford).
KenHerar@gmail.com