Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
A multicultural Canada
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." - Margaret Thatcher.
These words ring just as true today - or even more so - as when the Iron Lady uttered them. Too bad the politicians and beaurocrats who control the Immigration Department don't pay attention.
The past couple of years there have been thousands of Hungarian Roma refugee claimants arriving at Pearson Airport every year. They claim political asylum saying they would be tortured if returned to their country. No one can be sure if they are telling the truth or using this to gain access to Canada. What has some politicians worried is that many are aged people and families with children who could place a tremendous burden on our health care system which is already under attack as being unaffordable.
Reading a report the other day it was shocking to learn that once they are interviewed, photographed and fingerprinted they are eligible for a lot of taxpayer-funded government benefits.
They receive public housing in area hotels or motels and can apply for welfare benefits. Most are given free TTC passes and they become eligible for basic medical and dental care, glasses and free teeth. They can immediately apply for a work permit and the children are allowed to attend school.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against accepting legitimate immigrants. Canada has benefited greatly from people arriving from many countries and working hard to build the Canada we are so proud of.
But things have changed drastically over the years. I have a letter my grandfather carried from a UK bishop to be presented to an Anglican bishop when he arrived in Montreal. He was travelling with his wife and several children. The letter asked that he be given one pound to make his way to Uxbridge.
I know a pound won't buy you a cup of coffee these days, but I want to point out that was all he received. Once in Uxbridge he, and the older boys, had to find work. Other than some help from the church there was no Santa Claus waiting to hand out a myriad of goodies to get them settled.
They, along with hundreds who would follow, worked hard and, in the majority of cases, they put no burden on the welfare system. To accept welfare would be an insult on the family name. In fact, most soon found work and started paying taxes into the system.
These are the people who built the Canada that we know and love. However, the lefties have taken over and people are encouraged to make it to Canada and we'll take care of you. Even though we have thousands of Canadians caught in the economic turndown, can't find work and are in danger of losing their homes. No big government helping hand for them.
Not sure how you feel but I know I am not alone in thinking that we have sold our beautiful country down the river by trying to please every nationality and religious group who arrives on our shores.
Late PM Pierre Trudeau had this wonderful dream of multiculturalism where everyone who entered Canada didn't have to learn English or adapt to any customs that were an important part of the Canadian culture. What a disaster.
A panel of noted Canadians recently was asked what has happened to Canada. One panelist mentioned that establishing full multiculturalism has been a complete disaster. Newcomers do not have to assimilate into Canadian life and can bring all of the baggage with them which was the reason they left their homeland.
For people like me who do not have a lot of years left on this earth, these changes will probably not cause a huge burden. But when I see the young children, including my grandchildren, carefree and having fun playing soccer, baseball, hockey and other events with friends I can't help but wonder what life will be for them in 50 years.
Unless our politicians and lawmakers don't put on the brakes and say, “we've had enough”, then our descendants will not enjoy the Canada that we have built and are privileged to enjoy. What a pity.
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A big thank you to Elizabeth Underwood and Leslie Thomas who toil away in our local post office. Won't tell you why I need to thank them because the stupid thing I did is a bit embarrassing. But these two ladies, when they heard my predicament, came to the rescue and bailed me out in a hurry.
The folks at the Post Office are often maligned, so when employees go above and beyond the call of duty they deserve praise. Take a bow ladies. Thanks for your help.
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Just two days after Remembrance Day you are in for an interesting afternoon when Andrew Carswell will launch his book, Over the Wire, the account of his life for three years in Stalag V111B, a prisoner of war camp.
Andrew left Toronto shortly after his eighteenth birthday. Enlisting, he was assigned to a Lancaster Bomber. On his fourth operational mission the crew was forced to bail out of their burning plane, landing deep in a forest, temperatures below freezing, unharmed and unarmed, and ultimately captured.
Ted Barris will interview Andrew on this period of his life, including two daring escape attempts and his determination to never give up hope. This is Andrew's story, but also the story of tens of thousands of Canadians of his generation, who were proud to serve their country in its hour of greatest need.
Takes place Sunday, November 13 in the Legion Hall. 12 noon to 2 p.m. Tickets are $12, veterans and Legion members $10.00, and includes a nice lunch.
This promises to be a very popular event, so good idea to purchase tickets in advance at the Uxbridge Library or Blue Heron Books.
