Brad Trost MP Report
This last week, there was an item in the news which you may have missed.  An appointment to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has stirred up some supposed controversy.

NDP MP Olivia Chow (immigration critic for the federal NDP) and homosexual rights activists say the appointee named is unfit for the position and that he is not qualified to make decisions on immigration appeals and questions involving refugees.  Why was he unfit? Well, because prior to his appointment to the IRB, he had opposed “homosexual marriage”. So, in the name of “tolerance” (that is, because he didn’t agree with the agenda of the NDP regarding marriage) he should be fired.

This so-called “controversy” got me thinking: What if I, as a Conservative, demanded that everyone who didn’t agree with me on an issue (for example, gay marriage) be banned from government positions?  What would the puffed up, self righteous, left wing activists’ (who are criticizing this IRB appointment) say?  They would rightly conclude that I was intolerant, unable to deal with opposing views and unwilling to consider a person’s professional judgment and skills. They might even say that I was unable to deal with disagreements in a democratic and open way.

The point is: A democratic society only functions properly when citizens enjoy freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. People who disagree with the opinions of their fellow Canadians should not fear to express such opinions in public. Politicians, special interest groups and our Human Rights Commission commissars shouldn’t threaten one’s employment, engage in implied threats or use the power of the state to coerce people to be silent, In contrast, I believe in toleration. Too bad we can’t say that for all Canadian politicians and political activists.

I’m Brad Trost, your Member of Parliament in Saskatoon-Humboldt.  You can call my office in Saskatoon at 975-6133 or drop by our two offices to visit: Saskatoon Monday-Friday or Humboldt Tuesday and Wednesday. I always appreciate your feedback.