John Diedfenbaker

Comment:
"Chris Alexander & John Diefenbaker

C-24 and Citizenship

I was a volunteer during the 1967 Conservative leadership convention. The purpose of the convention was to replace former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, who had no intention of quitting without a fight.

I was up close with Mr. Diefenbaker at some pretty interesting moments. He had his faults…but “the Chief” was incorruptible. He felt this country in his bones. I’ll never forget the deep respect and loyalty of his sun beaten Saskatchewan farmers.

Joe Clark was also there.

Although Mr. Diefenbaker could not hold onto power, his vision of an unhyphenated Canadian identity provided both the Party and the Country with a firm foundation for just under 50 productive years. Citizenship bestowed rights to all…not self-defined privilege to the chosen.  

Prime Minister Joe Clark was more than true to the Chief’s vision of there being only one class of Canadian citizenship. I did not always agree with him, but Joe is a decent man of principle and fair play.    

In 2011, Mr. Clark endorsed Chris Alexander as a public service “jewel”. I’m certain that Joe did not know that while campaigning to serve in Parliament, Alexander was taking money from an adversarial foreign power.  

Its 2015.

We now have Chris Alexander on Twitter defending Bill C 24, which enshrines the concept of Alexander being a first class Canadian while “the Chief” and I do not quite make the cut.

With C 24, Chris Alexander does not have an asterisk beside his citizenship. I do. Diefenbaker did.

Chris Alexander knows that he can’t be removed under any circumstances from Canada. He also knows that I go to bed at night wondering if the circumstances will be found to justify my removal from Canada. Being the son of parents who were removed from their country of origin for reasons trumped up by Chris Alexander’s latest benefactors, I hope that I’m forgiven a dose of philosophic concern.    

Chris Alexander is not a stupid man. Joe Clark was his mentor.

Chris Alexander knows that he is weakening the Canada of John Diefenbaker and Joe Clark.

So what motivates Alexander’s behavior in weakening Canada?

Why does he exhibit clinically pathological behavior in denying that he has created a two tier citizenship and then abandoned judicial control over his citizenship removal process?

Frankly, at this stage, I do not care about Chris Alexander and his motivations. He has proven his ability to serve whatever master is paying the tab. He crossed the line when he took the money. It’s over.

I can only guess what Joe must be thinking about all this.

However disconcerting, the Chief can sleep in peace knowing that his foundation will outlast the cabal.

Canada has survived worse. The wrong will be righted."

Richard Boraks, July 30 2015