OPINION & LETTERSTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:The Oakville BeaverTHE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR:Canadian Circulation467 Speers Rd.,Audit Board Member Oakville Ont. 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ManagerLetter to the editorHappy Canada DayReflecting onEarlier this week, 29 people from 14 countrieswere sworn in as new Canadians at a citizenship courtceremony at the Oakville Public Library.non-humanFor the 29 new Canadians it was a special day asthey became official citizens in their adopted coun-animal rightstry.For the rest of us, the ceremony should serve as aWith the upcoming provincialreminder of how blessed we are to be able to callelections, I'm sure many of us areCanada home.reflecting on issues concerning eco-Some of the recent new Canadians arrived on ournomics, social policy and healthcare.doorstep by chance; others made enormous sacrificesI think there is another issue wor-to cross our borders and make new lives for them-thy of reflection, which has undulyselves.received scant political attention: ourWhy? What makes Canada so attractive to peopleview and treatment of non-humanliving in other nations that they would go to greatanimals. I can't recall any major polit-lengths to come to our country? What makes some-ical platform, which seriously wantedone give up their homeland and call Canada home?to engage this issue, and I'm no springIt's a difficult question to answer because many of chicken.us take our country, and what it has to offer, forIf we can't leave it up to our politi-granted.cians to address this issue, then let'sPeople don't come to Canada for the weather,address it ourselves: What is ourthat's for sure, and they don't come for the beachesunderstanding of non-human ani- although we do have some great ones.mals? And how, if at all, does thisSo why do they come?understanding provide sufficientWe believe it's what Canada has to offer a bettergrounds or moral justification for kill-life or at least the opportunity to live in relativeing millions of non-human animalssafety to pursue their dreams to the best of theirabilities. Granted, it can be a struggle and for some,for food, sport and clothing?their dreams may not be realized until the next gen-TheOakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations Why continue to presume, if weLetters toand grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. eration.make such a presumption all, thatLetters should be addressed toThe Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4,or viaIt is important to reflect on this on Canada Daythe editore-mail toeditor@oakvillebeaver.com. TheBeaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter.human interests outweigh the inter-because new Canadians serve as a reminder to the restests of slaughtered non-human ani-of us just how lucky we were to be born in this coun-mals? Or, more to the point: What is ittry.Lets not forget that Canada is a great nation.What a difference a year makesabout us or them which allows for usSure, we complain about high taxes, government,to slaughter them?Wow. I recently returned from theIn response to my letter, David Miles,snow, the price of gas, the Maple Leafs, the heat,Lastly, in which ways, if any at all,Bronte Road Special Waste Drop-Off loca-manager of program planning and collec-health care, HST, the rain, etc. But, compared to theare non-human animals 'lower' thantion. tion, Halton Region wrote to theBeaverrest of the world, is there really a better place to live?us, or perhaps less deserving of theirEverything was so well organized that Ipromising to minimize wait times for thisPolitical stability, awesome natural resources,lives?don't think I was there more than five min-year's event. internationally-respected businesses, an advanced sci-To conclude, if upon reflection youutes.Hats off to you David and all the peopleentific community, good education system, a healthfind yourself concerned about theLast year, I wrote to theOakville Beaverhelping you did it. Much shorter waitcare system available to all regardless of social class orwelfare or rights of non-human ani-complaining of the long wait to drop off times; in fact, no wait time when I attended.statusthe list goes on.mals, then I encourage you to contactitems and my concern regarding all theThank you.In Canada, every few years, the citizens of thisyour MPPs and the Ontario Premieridling cars. Pauline Maynard, Oakvillecountry can vote out the ruling government if enoughhimself to ask what is being done inof them are dissatisfied. What's more, the defeatedthe favour of non-human animals. Forgovernment leaves peacefully.if there were no one advocated onWPud BY STEVE NEASEneasecartoons@gmail.come should be proud of this country and all its citi-their behalf, then we'd have no reasonzens have accomplished in the past 144 years. Asto anticipate any change, and suchnations go, we are young, diverse and still growing.lack of change should be unacceptableOur potential is limitless.to those willing to call themselvesEnjoy this long weekend (do not drink and drive)advocates for non-human animals.and rejoice in the fact you call Canada home.But if upon reflection you do not findyourself concerned about the welfareThe Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is acceptedor rights of non-human animals, thenon the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising spaceat least you can say you thought aboutoccupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will notbe charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate.it.The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.M. Jordan, Oakvillewww.insideHALTON.com OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, July 1, 2011 6