Editor:
I need to express my dismay and alarm at the Town of Canmore's decision to turn away the Oriental Band, which is a unit of the Shriners organization and exclude them from participating in their Canada Day Parade.
Granted this group did not get the proper paperwork in order beforehand, but then it's been stated even if it had been they would not have been allowed to attend due to being "culturally appropriative" I wonder who complained or did the committee involved decide this is the new policy 'just in case'.
The Shriners have been attending parades for decades and entertaining kids of all ages with their music and antics all in the name of family fun. It was mentioned also that it "didn't align with our community values and standards", which leaves me to wonder which values it doesn't align with if not charity, fun, community engagement, family time, volunteerism, fraternalism, and downright goofiness.
I wish the Town and those involved would go back to sleep, get some rest and let the Shriners parade as they love to do.
Christine Huzzey,
Victoria, B.C.
