‘Now I recognize it was something racist to do,’ Sept. 19

Certainly the recent revelation of Justin Trudeau wearing brownface at age 29 undermines his credibility, judgment and honesty.

Many also recall his broken promises regarding electoral reform and balanced budgets. One important fact is not widely known.

Several days ago, he asserted, “I’m very proud to be a Quebecer.” This is no longer true. In May 2018, after voting in Ottawa, he acknowledged that he was now a legal resident of Ontario.

Thus, he certainly has a fully portable OHIP card. Might this explain why he has not defended the portability rights — supposedly guaranteed by the Canada Health Act — of his Papineau constituents?

They and other Quebecers, unlike Trudeau, must usually pay out-of-province physicians directly and await partial reimbursement. This occurs when west Quebec residents seek medical care in Ottawa, when Quebec residents become unexpectedly ill on business or vacation elsewhere in Canada, or when a former Quebecer needs to see an MD during the first three months after a permanent move to another province.

The number of affected persons dwarfs the few thousand in Quebec whose jobs at SNC-Lavalin he was possibly protecting a few months ago.

He claims to be concerned with making life affordable for the middle class and instructed his health minister to uphold and defend the Canada Health Act. He should be ensuring unimpeded access to medical care for residents of his former province across Canada. He has clearly failed. Yet another example of his hypocrisy. As Warren Kinsella wrote, “This is not the face of a prime minister.”

Dr. Charles S. Shaver, Ottawa

If I dress up and act as Shylock in “The Merchant of Venice,” am I to be branded as anti-Semitic? If I act the part of Othello, am I a racist? If I put on the costume of Santa Claus, am I anti-white propagandist? Why should Aladdin’s imagined face offend all the Black and brown people in Canada? I think this is political correctness to ludicrous length.

Incidentally, I am an 85 year old person who has lived and worked in Quebec and Ontario for the last 52 years. I am also one who has done my might to promote and support multiculturalism from the ’60s in Canada. I must also add that I am as brown as brown can get. And I am not offended by the portrayal of Aladdin. In fact, I am amused.

Joseph Pathyil, Mississauga

Skin colour is one of the major attributes that defines both individual distinctiveness and differences between people, and therefore can have important psychological and socio-political ramifications. In such situations, it is important for us to reflect rather than react.

Madhulika A. Gupta, London, Ont.

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