SUPERCHUTE® Letter from the president of Superchute ANDREW ANSON Wednesday, April 09, 2003 Dear Madam/Sir, As president of a small manufacturing plant in Montreal, and as a proud Canadian and Quebec Patriot, I never expected to receive hundreds of e-mails concerning the hoisting of the US and UK flags on our flagpole. In the past we've flown the US flag at half mast for a week at a time (September 11, 2001 and September 11, 2002) and not received a single e-mail. Then, we were united in our shock, and there was no bad-mouthing of our US friends and neighbors by members of parliament. As we all know, Mr. Chrétien, our Prime Minister, and his entire Cabinet and all his Liberal party MP's, suddenly changed direction one day before the US and Great Britain went to war in Iraq. He abandoned our life long friends, relations and allies. He obtained the support of Bernard Laundry, Premier of Quebec. Mr. Chrétien's weak excuse was that he wanted another vote by the Security Council at the UN. There have already been 14 previous votes condemning Iraq. He wanted neighbour Syria, another Ba’thist dictatorship, to approve the ouster of Saddam Hussein. He wanted Cameroon and Angola's approval. Is Canadian foreign policy dictated by the approval of such small, and often non-democratic states? With this action Mr. Chrétien has brought ridicule upon Canadian foreign policy. Will the US, in particular, trust Canada in the future? Mr. Chrétien does not represent manufacturing business opinions, well certainly not mine and my fellow director, Ben Anson. Like many manufacturing companies 80% of our sales are to the US (17%
to the rest of Canada and 3% to Quebec). As our manufacturing plant is
in Canada, I have no choice but to speak out and express my opinion, before
our current government damages our business further. I also must think of my staff, their wives and children. Their jobs all depend on Superchute receiving purchase orders from the United States. There are countries who support the coalition, but aren't sending troops. Canada is the opposite, and has actually sent 31 or so officers who are attached to US & UK forces, but they are not supported by the government. What an invidious position for these officers to be in. They are now out in Iraq, risking their lives, but the Canadian government does not support them. If they need equipment, medicines etc. does this mean that the government won't supply them? My daughter is married to a US citizen and lives in Florida. I hear from
her what Americans are saying about us "Canadians", about our
inadequate military forces, our 40 year old antique helicopters, our inadequate
border security, our lack of desert uniforms, our mothballed brand new
destroyers, our open door immigration and refugee policies, our latest
policy flip flop. Regretfully we are poorly represented and protected by Ottawa & Quebec City. But it is never too late to change direction when you have made a mistake. Better late than never. May I suggest we change now and send more men and equipment to bolster our existing troops. We, the directors of Superchute Ltd, and as Canadian and Quebec patriots, fully support the US, UK, and other coalition forces. The Canadian, Quebec, US and UK flags will fly outside Superchute until this war is won, and Iraq is liberated. Our troops need our support. We do support our 31 troops in Iraq.
O Canada, who stands on guard for thee? (I fully respect others to have different or divergent opinions, and each may fly whatever flags they wish from their flagpoles). |