Editor: Re: Stephen Ross letter (the Times, Dec. 16).
It鈥檚 a fine letter that Stephen Ross has written and the points are well taken and most within I agree with, but then I saw the light.
Canada is like a candle in the wind there is light but darkness surrounds the light.
I believe there is only one Vancouver City Police Officer that deals with hate crime and two police officers that make up the B.C. Hate Crime Unit.
Police Hate Crime Units in British Columbia are understaffed and therefore underfunded.
How the rest of the provinces and territories fair in hate crime officers I鈥檓 not certain.
Legislation in the Canadian Human Rights Act, Section 13 had been repealed in 2013. It dealt with hate crimes on the internet, which only needed an amendment, and now it is gone from the grasp of 36 million Canadians. We need it back and strengthened.
Yes, legislation is still available to combat hate crime, but governments on all levels need to step up and start enforcing.
In worsening economic times hate crimes increase, it doesn鈥檛 matter where in the world, if there is a downturn of prosperity hate rears its ugly head even more.
To tackle hatred/inequality/racism on the internet and your computer at home, as an adult you step out in front to lead, to guide the laws that are needed and are not strong enough to protect your society, your country, your children.
You set an example as it should be, as it will always be, and as our governments should follow in enforcement of the laws.
Teach your children well, but lead as an example, because as the generation that follows us they will need the path that guides the way.
The world is changing and some things will never change, and other things flicker and change before our eyes.
We are like the candle in the wind and our light need not flicker and go out.
It can guide the world to the shelter of our homes, our country, our values, and this light can be the beacon the world can see and want.
It is this brightness, this is how you bring about change in the international world, this is how Canada and governments can stand out above all others 鈥� it鈥檚 from the light within.
Cran Campbell,
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