Filed under: Issues | Tags: Afro-Canadian, American, canada, Chinese-Canadian, ethnic, GTA, racism, South-Asian, Toronto
I think I am still lamenting over the fact that Ontario, or shall I say the outskirts of Toronto, is a bit more prejudice then I thought. What am I referring to you ask? Well, it’s the comments I have heard lately and from others during this provincial election. It seems that the faith-based funding issue and the amount of “ethnic” candidates are bringing out the worst in people. Or should I say that it really has always been there? Imagine why would an Afro-Canadian, Chinese-Canadian, South-Asian or any other so called ethnic minority even think that they are allowed to run for office. This is not my Canada and it does not look like me. Our for-fathers built….Shall I go on? I have always thought that Canada is a bit more racist and intolerant then we like to believe. We like to say that Canada is not like the American experience, however I wonder who is more racist, prejudice and intolerant?
My parents are immigrants, but I grew up in Canada from birth. So am I Canadian? I think so, just as much as the person who somehow believes that it is theirs. In my experience ignorant and bigoted individuals in Toronto tend to “smile” with you and say that they like you. They may even pat you on the back and say “you are so great, you are a good person”. They would never say a mean thing to you directly; however behind your back they say some of the most awful things. I cannot use that language on this blog, but in such a diverse area such as Toronto, I am sure you can imagine it. I have even heard of individuals not voting for particular candidates because of their colour or ethnic background. So how tolerant are we? As tolerant as the peameal bacon on our plate for breakfast! I guess we are tolerant because we do not hang people from trees. So that makes us so much better then everyone else, especially American right? We can hold our heads high and say “everyone should be like us”. But I wonder are the people that make racist and ignorant remarks simply afraid? Do they now feel “threatened” because they are now considered the minority? Ironic isn’t it!
We are all shaped by our environment. Hatred is something that we learn and it is only education that can change and reshape us into a better society. We need to learn about other cultures, if we are to become a better Canada. We are all not born racists. However, when a group of people feel that they are better then others, what happens? I guess over the years these individuals have become so used to their ways that they cannot see out of the box. They feel that the immigrant should somehow conform to the Canadian way, whatever that is. We are Canadians of many colours and we can learn from one another. Maybe we can spread a little Canada to the rest of the world? “Canada does not only belong to those who sailed here first. It actually belongs to those who were here first”. Better yet, I think colorless cans of paint are on sale this weekend. We should all pick up some!
By: Torontomatic
Filed under: Issues | Tags: development, greenbelt, growth, GTA, Hazel, McCallion, Miller, Mississauga, roads, Sprawl, Toronto
All my life I have lived in the GTA and not much has changed, in terms of urban planning. I am not an expert by any means. But can someone tell me what the experts have done? Sure, probably a whole lot for the city of Toronto and beyond. I am just the average GTA resident that has to live with those wonderful decisions. Please don’t tell me that I should simply “consume less” and live downtown in an 800 sq. ft. condo for half a million (I’m exaggerating here). Not that anything is wrong with a smaller condo. I used to live in one, but that’s not the point. With our patchwork of cities and “Band-Aid” solutions it’s a miracle that I can get from point A to point B in 1 1/2 hours. But I digress! We still continue to build without true planning amongst GTA towns and cities. We still continue to think that we have a lot of time to solve our urban issues. It’s another example of much “precious little time” we have for the GTA.
In some ways I wonder if the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is a victim of its own design. We essentially have one large city surrounded by a lot of “wanna-be” cities. Okay, I’m just kidding! I’m not against these towns and cities, since I live in one of them. We have Pickering, Markham, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Brampton and many others. No, I did not forget “THE blessed state of Mississauga“, run by her worship Hazel McCallion. Also, less we forget all of the other wonderful towns and cities that spread from the city of Toronto, like weeds! However I wonder, is this a great layout? Is this the way it should be?
We cannot change anything now, unless someone decides that it is a good idea to “amalgamate” again. Now that was a great idea? Toronto city council is still complaining about a lack of funds and money. In some ways I cannot blame the “little rulers of their kingdoms”. By design, we zone more land for development, which of course brings in more “TAXES” to the coffers of municipal governments. More people, more cars, small vision and more problems. We are our own victims! Years ago people should have demanded proper planning, however little was done to prevent sprawl. Some would say that sprawl is fine, as long as public transit goes along with it. However, lets be practical here, this is not the case. Especially for all of those people stuck on the 401 trying to get to work and pay their bills.
The Government of Ontario has come up with the “Greenbelt”, which it hopes over the next few decades will curb our urban sprawl. But they continue to loose the point on transit, which should be a precursor to development anyway. I have to spend an entire article on the Greenbelt alone, at a later date. The “Town of Markham” has come up with the idea of a “mixed-used” development called the new Downtown Markham. But I have to wonder? Is it too little to late? Only time will tell!
Torontomatic 