Letters from Saugeen Shores organizers Justine Rankin (left) and Megan Dunn were thrilled with the turn out.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

Hub Staff

Over 70 letters were drafted during the Letters from Saugeen Shores event which was held at Ashanti Coffee February 1.

Over 33 letters of love and condolence were written to members of the Islamic Centre in Quebec City, who were victims of a terrorist attack resulting in the death of six Muslim men, with many more injured, January 29. The suspected shooter a known white supremacist and white nationalist.

Over 50 Saugeen Shores citizens attended the letter writing event at the Port Elgin coffee shop where addresses of Local MP Ben Lobb, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen were provided for writers to express their ideas on how they thought Canada should react to recent executive orders put in place in the United States, in particular the immigration ban.

Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) Southport Pat Sanagan attended the event along with her husband and friends from the CFUW. She said she was looking for a local event where she could use her voice and her opinion and get involved in some action and thought Letters from Saugeen Shores was a chance for her to do so.

“I felt so strongly about what has happened, not just the horrible incident at the mosque but also what’s happened over the last week with the changes in policy down south.” She said just having an outlet for her rage, the letter writing event would not make her feel as “impotent” and quell her repetitive thoughts of asking herself what she could she do to help.

Sanagan penned a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where she reminded him that his father, Pierre Trudeau, Canada’s 15th Prime Minister, began the ‘Just Society’ in the 1960s and said that it was time for Justin to renew the commitment. “It’s fine for him to go on Twitter and say we accept all refugees but if he doesn't put his policies and actions behind that... then it’s meaningless. He has to put something in place,” said Sanagan who will be attending various anti-Muslim ban events throughout Grey Bruce this week.

In all, over 37 letters were addressed to government officials with some attendees writing pages of thoughts, while others signed pre-written messages that asked politicians to denounce the recent immigration ban or “vetting process” signed by US President Donald Trump, seen by many as discriminatory and contrary to Canadian values.

Letters also asked leaders to take immediate steps to offer refuge and protection to those already screened and cleared for admission into the US; as well as raising levels of overseas refugees admissible into Canada in 2017.

Organizers of Letters from Saugeen Shores would like to thank everyone who took action and did so with love. The event was publicized as non-partisan as they felt that human rights shouldn't have a political agenda. They would also like to thank Ashanti Coffee in Port Elgin for hosting the event as well as all those in attendance who donated to postage costs. Donations paid for Priority postage while remaining funds of $50 were donated to the Islamic Centre. 

If people were not able to attend and would like to send letters of love and condolence to Quebec, the address is as follows:

Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre
2877 Ch Ste-Foy
Ville de Quebec, QC
G1V 1W3

Shaun Abba (right) with Ammar and Zuhayr were happy participants at the Letters from Saugeen Shores event. Ammar and Zuhayr decorated condolence cards to be sent to the victims of the Islamic Centre in Quebec.

From left, Cheryl Kryzaniwsky, Pat Sanagan and Pat McCutcheon of CFUW Southport wrote letters to members of parliament during the Letters from Saugeen Shores event February 1.

In total, over 70 letters will be sent as a result of the Letters from Saugeen Shores event February 1.

Approximately 50 people attended the event at Ashanti Coffee in downtown Port Elgin to send, among other things, messages of love and condolence to those affected by the January 29 attack in Quebec City.