Governments Past, Governments Future

‘Democratic governments, in particular, have further responsibility in regards to respecting the rights of the individual. A democracy has exhibited inexcusable negligence of this duty when it takes away freedom of beliefs and association, as the government did many Italian-Canadians. Prior to Canada’s declaration of war on Italy, the government had compiled lists of Italians suspected to support fascism, sometimes for as insignificant a reason as being “seen in a photograph wearing a black shirt”. Many members of peaceful organizations such as the Order Sons of Italy were branded fascists, despite lack of evidence. Under the DOCR, groups supporting political views considered “prejudicial to the war effort” were illegal, a ruling which gave the government the freedom to ban not only Communist and Nazi groups, but those which believed in pacifism and disarmament. This law was also the basis for interning Italians suspected of fascism. Beginning in June 1940, they were dispersed between camps in Kanaskis, BC, Petwawa, Ontario and Fredericton, New Brunswick, about 600 citizens in total. While this number was fewer than the Japanese interned, the issue remains: being a democratic country is pointless if only the opinion of the majority is valued: all political views must be protected, whether or not they are popular.’