One of my favourite times of the year has always been Canada Day. Since becoming a Member of Parliament I have found new meaning in the celebration for all that is great about our amazing nation.
Over the past 12 months I’ve encountered a few noteworthy events that I believe illustrate the values that are unique to the special quality of life we enjoy as Canadians.
Several months ago a priest in the community of Merritt was ordered to be deported from Canada within 48 hours. The outcry from the citizens within Merritt was loud and broad reaching, coming from many different segments of the region. Community leaders, including the mayor and MLA spoke passionately of the importance of this priest to the citizens in Merritt and the great injustice in being ordered to be deported in such an aggressive manner. The community came together to show support and to help find a solution. To attempt to engage in political intervention with only 48 hours on the clock, and even less time once the issue became widely known, seemed an impossible task to overcome.
However, if we are to have laws and bureaucracy where we cannot undo those mistakes that have been made, we are beholden to an entirely different set of problems that are against our very democratic principles. In this case with the support of democratically elected representatives such as Merritt Mayor Susan Roline and NDP MLA Harry Lali, we were able to have the deportation order resolved, and a priest can now continue to serve his temple.
I am also mindful of the 158 Canadians we have lost in service while in Afghanistan. In many of our communities the cenotaphs serve us as reminders of those brave Canadians who have given the supreme sacrifice of service to our great nation. To the friends and families who lost loved ones, we will never forget your loss nor the values that we continue to defend against those who would do us harm. During my time in Ottawa I have had a chance to meet some of those who have served in Afghanistan. It is a life changing experience for many.
Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for Okanagan-Coquihalla and can be reached atdan.albas@parl.gc.ca .