Targeting Toronto

I wasn't sure at first if this would have actually made the news in the US or not but I see it on both CNN and Fox News' homepage about the thrwarted major terrorist attempt in my city, Toronto Canada.

From what I've read so far, this appears to be most well staffed (with 17 arrested so far) and organized effort since 9/11 itself involving huge amounts of explosives targetting currently unreleased targets in either Toronto the surrounding area.

Now for those of you who aren't too familiar with Canada's landscape, Toronto is currently the financial epicentre of the country and we are all keenly aware of what that means for those of us who work and live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

As a commuter I've though many times about the poor souls in Madrid and London, as a person employed in Toronto I'm keenly aware that we're home to the world's tallest building and how that may equate to the World Trade Center based on Toronto's economic capital.

Like all good people I felt anguish when I heard the details of what was happening in New York city on 9/11 but I also felt a kinship fully knowing that not only are we not geographically distant from each other but also we share the purpose for our respective countries.

And although I am fully aware that there are people in the world who hate and I've come to accept the post 9/11 world by making changes in the paths that I take to work. I'm stunned and saddened to hear that this act (like in London) was going to be purpotrated by Canadian citizens born in Canada.

I believe in Canada's dedication to multiculturalism and diversity even though the answers are always hard and rarely make everyone happy. What I cannot accept is Canadian citizens retaliating against other Canadians because of their beliefs. It's purely not Canadian. It is in fact the antithesis of everything that being Canadian means.

If these citizens had actually wanted to effect change in Canada they certainly had government policy on their side.
1) A strong commitment to multiculturalism
2) A population who doesn't support the war in Iraq
3) A majority immigrant population who is keenly aware of the challenges in mixing cultures
4) The freedom to effect change by participating in government
5) A very flexible Canadian Identity

I've drawn a conclusion today that is concerning to me. Even with the tools at their disposal to help reshape Canada into whatever they wanted it to be in a democratic way; to help define Canada's foreign policy to a policy that better reflects their beliefs, these people appear to have choosen violence for the sake of violence. A violence not intended to persuade or to effect any type of change but a violence intended only to create pain and death.

In my Canada, there's a place for differing opinions and lots of healthy debate. There's room for different languages and different religions. There's room for different sexual preferences and political stripes. There is no room for pure ignorance and unadulterated hate.

Lastly, I'd just like to thank those who took part in capturing those who intended to cause so much suffering and death. You know you saved a lot of lives today (maybe even mine).

Should these individuals be found guilty I certainly hope as Canadian citizens that they are also charged with treason.

If devastation had taken place in my home it would have destroyed more than my city but, I fear, the spirit of acceptance and a desire to make multiculteralism work that comes with being a Canadian. It only works if we all agree.