Taking stock of ‘old stock Canadians’: Stephen Harper called a ‘racist’ after remark during debate. http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/taking-stock-of-old-stock-canadians-stephen-harper-called-a-racist-after-remark-during-debate “Harper isn’t the first politician to slip “old stock” into a public comment, although it’s almost always been in reference to Quebecers”. While I am in no way a “Harperite”; I find it both galling and absurd to equate this term with any kind of racism or even discrimination. Have we –Canadians –become so sensitive politically correct and supersensitive that we find a slight in every innocuous –though partisan –comment; using it as a political cudgel? You have come a long way; Canada; since the days of yore when I was an immigrant. Though European and white; I faced many actions and comments that could have been interpreted as “discriminatory” by today’s standards. However; I always assumed I was not here to change the country, but to adapt or go back home. There were certainly favouritism to “old country” folks –the British in particular – who could become citizens after one year, while we second-class people had to wait five years; and were favoured in many jobs –especially government positions. Today you would call it “discrimination”; and I am happy that those days are past; but I never felt oppressed. Today; most immigrants are of Asian and Middle-Eastern origin; and most of them are hard working and honest people who want to become good Canadians. A minority; for religious and tribal-social reasons; want to change the society which they so ardently sought to join. Canadians of yore –yes “old stock” Canadians; fought hard and valiantly to make a fair and equal society. It isn’t done overnight, but we have come a long way. Canada is the most welcoming and open country on earth. Let’s not fall prey to naysayers and hypercorrect fanatics. There is room for all opinions, as long as they don’t affect others personal welfare. Such small issues as removing your niqab for the swearing-in of the citizenship you so ardently sought should not become a major issue worthy of the Supreme Court. Sigmund Roseth