BY RAE GILMAN
GUEST OPINION
On Feb. 17, 2016, the Sherwood Motel underwent a military-style attack that was never before or ever since seen on P.E.I. This invasion, as later confirmed, was carried out by the Canada Border Services Agency. I, a former part-owner of the motel, was staying in unit 104, a first-floor accommodation across from the office. I was awakened at 7:30 a.m. by loud banging sounds. I jumped out of bed, looked out the window, saw the driveways blocked and up to 15 people in white uniforms carrying the most aggressive weapons I had ever seen. They had broken into the office.
I was accosted by a woman in uniform screaming at me. At the time, I was stunned speechless. At 87 years of age, I had devoted my life to assisting new Canadians as well as Islanders to improve their skills so they could take their place and secure a positive future in Island society.
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I was also taught to be a gentleman but never accept rudeness from anyone. This woman thrust a paper in my hand indicating authority to raid the property. A man who approached me in a calmer fashion asked me to come into the dining room where they simultaneously questioned Ping Zhong at what I presumed was her home, but in fact she was incarcerated at the city lockup.
We were simultaneously being cross-examined. Ping’s husband was taken to the RCMP office in Charlottetown from his work. I was at the motel. About 10:30 a.m. they broke into her brother’s apartment at the motel, telling me that Ping was to bring them the key for his door, but hadn’t done so. She couldn’t get the key because she was being held at the police station. I was assured by the man that seemed to be playing “good cop” that the appropriate authority would pay for the damage. A contractor was secured. The motel paid the substantial bill, but the motel never received any reimbursement for the damages.
Later that morning, the aggressive woman officer asked me if there were more registration cards. I indicated previous years’ cards were in a drawer in the office. I went to open the drawer and she screamed at me again and suggested there might be weapons there. I told her she was a damn fool, that we were not the type of people who approve of weapons and would never own one or approve of killing a rabbit with one.
I have loved this country since I was five years old and have believed that the Westminister form of democracy was superior to the republican and other democratic structures. I do not blame the CBSA for their actions, but feel they are in dire need of retraining along the lines of the program that was once offered to peacekeepers around the world by the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre in Clements, N.S.
My former business partners are among the most honest, hard-working people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ping has brought her family of 13 people to live on the Island. They are all settled in the Charlottetown area. They have been very responsible citizens and have enjoyed life on the Island.
The much-appreciated assistance Ping and Yi provided includes meeting newcomers at the airport, assisting in applying for SIN cards, health cards, opening up bank accounts, registering children for school, all intended to make settlement on P.E.I. an easier transition for newcomers.
The greatest weakness in my opinion, to our form of democracy, is the fact that legislators in both provincial and federal parliaments can say whatever they want with impunity, including slanderous statements for their own self-aggrandizement or party line. We will not be a true democracy until this heinous privilege is removed from their rights. They must be responsible for what they say in their houses of assembly, like every other citizen.
I would suggest that it is government’s responsibility to explain to both newcomers and its citizens their rights and, if there is a breach in regulations, give the participants an understanding of the laws governing this matter. The failure to do so has cost a great deal of pain and mental anguish to good people and good citizens. If everyone living on this Island tried to be as good a citizen and Ping and her family, we’d be a better society.
- Rae Gilman, Oyster Bed Bridge, is a former part-owner of the Sherwood Motel
