Richmond - The Editor, While going through the inserts in the local paper, I discovered a 24-page Real Estate Weekly, which I could not read as it was in Chinese. I guess Richmond does not feel it needs me to be part of its real estate market.
This letter has nothing to do with intolerance. My parents came from India more than 45 years ago with six young children in tow. Not one of us spoke a word of English. My father, in his 40s at the time, learned to speak broken English and my older siblings were sent to ESL classes right away.
My family was able to maintain its cultural beliefs and practices without bombarding our neighbourhoods, shops and community with the Punjabi language. My parents were free to practise their Sikh religion while Canada continued to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."
When literature shows up at my door, it should be in English or French. If I want a paper in Punjabi, I'll subscribe to it. If I want one in Chinese, I'll subscribe to it.
This city continues to exclude me, while preaching the importance of being "inclusive." Doesn't everyone's inclusivity count.
For the politicians, it is all about the votes; for businesses, it is all about the money. For those of us who are bothered by a 24-page insert sitting on our kitchen tables that we can't read, it is about our community and Canada. Don't we ALL count.
For all immigrants, myself included, remember "Canada did not come to us; we came to Canada."
Amar Litt
Richmond
