Loachman said:
I think that opinions and understanding of sanctuary cities, both here and down south, have changed somewhat since 2013.
It sounds noble until one's own city becomes overburdened.
The idea of sanctuary cities, and of providing safe haven for people fleeing war, persecution, or other savagery is a very fine one. Very Canadian and very Christian (at least, as I understand Christianity...)
These days it is being countered by two things: one valid, one not. The invalid thing is the historical Canadian reaction to immigrants who are different, be these Catholic Irish, Chinese, Russians, Italians, Portuguese, Jews, Vietnamese boat people, Indians, Pakistanis, etc, etc. There has always been a significant nativist outcry against all of these people, who were going to "ruin Canada" but ended up being useful and productive members of society. That type of thinking, which would deny entry at all, is bigoted nonsense and not a part of our history to be proud of.
The other reaction countering offering of haven or sanctuary is, IMHO, a much more reasonable and understandable one. That reaction asks what are the costs, fiscally and socially, of bringing in large numbers of destitute people in a hurry, without really thinking it through? If they ghettoize, how much longer will it take to adapt (or assimilate, if you prefer that term)? If we can't do proper background checks on people, what risk are we accepting? (Maybe none-maybe lots) Even the best of good intentions runs smack into reality at some point. One of these nasty realities is that services have to be paid for, and this can't just be dumped on cities already awash in red ink.
I have no problem with legal immigrants, nor with helping people who need a new start in a safe place. Those are the people who have built this country and are still building it today. I don't care what colour or religion they are, as long as they are ready to work hard, obey the law, contribute and adapt, and ready to live where their labour is needed.
But we need to do this carefully, thoughtfully, and in a way that doesn't turn these poor people into targets or whipping boys. We can't just do this based on emotion or gut: that is what happened under Merkel in Germany and look where that got her. It may yet cost her her seat as Chancellor, and it has given fuel to every gang of far-right racist nasties you can think of.
We need to have the courage to slow things down to what we can sustain, and to what Ontarians are willing to accept.
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