Canadians favour screening would-be immigrants for ‘anti-Canadian’ values, poll shows

Toronto Star ^ | September 10, 2016 | Bruce Campion-Smith

[Loyalist]

OTTAWA—Two-thirds of Canadians want prospective immigrants to be screened for “anti-Canadian” values, a new poll reveals, lending support to an idea that is stirring controversy in political circles.

Conservative MP Kellie Leitch, a candidate in her party’s leadership contest, has floated the idea of screening newcomers for their attitudes on intolerance toward other religions, cultures and sexual orientations and reluctance to embrace Canadian freedoms.

A new Forum Research Inc. poll for the Star shows that Leitch may be tapping into an idea that Canadians favour with 67 per cent saying immigrants should indeed be screened for “anti-Canadian values.”

More importantly for Leitch, the poll shows that the idea is especially popular among Conservative supporters with 87 per cent backing the idea and just 8 per cent opposed compared to 57 per cent support among Liberals and 59 per cent for New Democrat voters.

That’s certain to be the reason that Leitch (Simcoe-Grey) proposed the idea — and has stuck by it in the face of criticism, said Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research.

“If you’re going after the base, this is like red meat for them. They’re going to love this,” he said Friday. “This is hitting the nail right on the head.”

When asked to choose the values respondents believe are important, equality came out on top (27 per cent), followed by patriotism (15 per cent), fairness (12 per cent) and tolerance (11 per cent).

Conservative backers put patriotism at the top their list of important values. Liberals and New Democrats ranked equality as their first choice.

[Loyalist]

Kellie Leitch is certainly more accomplished, and more perceptive, than the trust-fund part-time snowboarding instructor and drama teacher currently occupying the office she is eventually aiming for.

Canadians have been told ad nauseum that we are a multicultural society for decades now, and to reject the evidence of our lying eyes and ears that in many places we have become a collection of mutually suspicious ethnic enclaves.

Well, we've had enough. And Dr. Leitch is the first federal politician of any stature to say so, and is getting pilloried by our elite media as a result.

I still haven't decided whom I will support in the federal Conservative leadership race, but Dr. Leitch is looking like a good choice.

[Alberta's Child]

I've been traveling to Canada for years, lived and worked there for a while, and still do business there.

I have no idea what "Canadian values" are. I'll bet most Canadians can't even enunciate them clearly.

That's not a criticism, by the way. I'd say the same thing about the United States.

[Phillyred]

How could any sane nation be brainwashed into thinking this is a bad idea? How is it possible?

[Tucker39]

Screening immigrants for desirable values?! Sounds like Canadian officials have been listening to Trump.

[Bulwyf]

I don’t know know what Canadian values are, but I know what Albertan values are.

Texan values and Albertan values are about identical.

It’s too bad we’ve been infiltrated by the enemy too and last election the vote was split. Now I’m seeing a greatly increased presence of Islam all over.

I don’t leave the house unarmed anymore.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just a ‘tad late...

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I noticed the Texas connection the first time I was up for the Stampede.

[polymuser]

The questions:

Do you like beer?
Do you like hockey?
Do you like putine?
Do you like curling?
Do you like bacon?
Do you like fishing?
Do you like girliemen leaders?
Do you dislike Americans?

[OttawaFreeper]

A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian, doncha know? That is what our Boy King told us last year. Surely, even these ones who hate women being outside of the house or who want to kill gays or want to keep their kids out of music studies still hang out at Tim Hortons or watch shows like Hockey Night in Canada or “Corner Gas” or “The Littlest Hobo” or take their kids to Saturday morning hockey practice on winter mornings at the local arena, eh?

[Bulwyf]

I don’t mind some beer, but I’m not a big drinker.
I don’t watch hockey anymore, it’s only about money.
I don’t like poutine, never did.
I don’t like curling, it’s boring.
I eat bacon.
I haven’t fished since I was a kid. I shoot often.
I am an alpha male, I like alpha male leaders.
I love real Americans, and have gotten in real fights defending them.
I also served alongside many overseas during my infantry years.

Did I cover your list?

[Bulwyf]

We are really a lot alike in my opinion. I would trade my life for freedom and so would any real American.

[polymuser]

Sorry, you can’t be Canadian.
But you’re welcome in America.
:)

[Bulwyf]

It’s funny you mention that, I’m looking at journeyman electrician jobs there because I see so hope here.

I’d rather throw my lot in with those who would stand up for what they believe, not those who would just roll over.

[xp38]

You must like Anne Murray and know the words to Snowbird by heart!

[dfwgator]

Blame Canada....With all their hockey hullabaloo and that b@tch, Anne Murray, too.

[dfwgator]

But they’ll never let Justin Bieber back into the country.

[Bulwyf]

I don’t know who that is, and while I know what a snowbird is, I don’t know about any words. Snowbirds are simply those who live south for the winter, lots in Florida.

I do know who Ian Tyson is though.

[polymuser]

C’mon down!
I visited there a while back, was at a pub when a Canadian millenial guy asked me about Trump. Told him my support & why. He heckled me, so I laughed about their choice of PM. Had paid up and I just laughed as he loudly cursed me out the door “F*****g American!” over and over.

[xp38]

For your education

Beneath it's snowy mantle cold and clean,

The unborn grass lies waiting for it's coat to turn to green.

The snowbird sings the song he always sings,

And speaks to me of flowers that will bloom again in spring.

When I was young my heart was young then, too.

And anything that it would tell me, that's the thing that I would do.

But now I feel such emptiness within,

For the thing that I want most in life's the thing that I can't win.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away,

And take the snow back with you where it came from on that day.

The one I love forever is untrue,

And if I could you know that I would fly away with you.

The breeze along the river seems to say,

That he'll only break my heart again should I decide to stay.

So, little snowbird, take me with you when you go,

To that land of gentle breezes where the peaceful waters flow.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away,

And take the snow back with you where it came from on that day.

The one I love forever is untrue,

And if I could you know that I would fly away with you.

Yeah, if I could I know that I would fly away with you.

[Bulwyf]

If I was there, I would of sorted that tool right out. I don’t tolerate fools and real Americans are always welcome in my part of the woods.