就近日《环球邮报Globe and Mail》的文章，重复5年前关于我的毫无根据的提示，我想做出以下声明。我非常感谢韦恩省长在此问题上及时和明确的声明，以及她所表达对我的信任。我也要感谢很多人士与我联系，表达对我的支持。我从年轻时来到这个国家，加拿大欢迎接受了我。我在为我的华裔祖籍而骄傲的同时，而第一位、首要的，我是个加拿大人。我的一切成功都归功于这个国家，特别是安大略省。我曾连续四次入选省议会，并在过去八年担任政府内阁部长，这是我无上荣幸。在我所担任的每个职位上，我一直都努力为相关的百姓或工商业代言，并一直按最高的诚信行事履职。在我安大略公民、移民及国际贸易部长的责任范围内，我曾去过很多地方，并将继续这样做，以 促进安大略省与当地的贸易关系。我所做得所有事情，都是服务于安大略省、以及万锦-于人村市民的最佳利益。我希望，以自己过去几年的工作态度，可为将来有志参政的人士做出个小小的榜样。本周《环球邮报》的文章，不过是再次炒作五年前已经公布了的、并且是已被揭穿了的荒唐指责。事实上，当年的《环球邮报》就已经将这些无理据的指责形容为“鲁莽、愚蠢而自相矛盾”(《环球邮报》2010年6月24日)。与自己的文化、自己的祖籍国保持深厚的、有意义的联系，本应是千万加拿大人所珍惜的一件事。我们与世界各地紧密、个人化的联系，是件好的事情——这是加拿大和安大略的基础所不可缺少的一部分。实际上，在安省议会门前，我们每年都要举行数十个升旗仪式，庆祝构成我们安省丰富文化的国家，而没有谁曾质疑那些参与者的忠诚。我还想做出一些个人的评论。虽然我担任内阁部长已有八年，而大多数安大略省民对我不一定了解。对很多人来说，他们对我的第一印象，来自近期《环球邮报》的头版。事实真是如此，这对我伤害很深！第一篇文章的大字标题，给人印象是文章里面揭露一个重大内幕。封面头版有我的照片，配以粗体文字声称已有“部长”(指我)有可能对加国可能是个“威胁”的指控。文章内文包含系列含沙射影、半提半示，尽管没有任何具体的指控，却有煽动性的词句如“叛国罪”、“间谍” 等，无缘无故搬上台面。文中持续的主调，就是我受到不正当的影响、我是外国政府不知不觉的盲从，从而认为有危险。这是无理侵犯、完全虚假捏造的。这样的个人攻击是对我及我家人的严重侵犯。我们生活在一个以新闻自由为重要支柱的社会，我们都珍惜加拿大人所享有的自由和保护。有理有据的辩论是我们民主的生命线，而正确的媒体报道才起到主要作用。对于指称对加拿大或安大略有任何威胁的暗示，没有任何一件我所做的事情，以任何方式可以得到证明。我还希望说的是，我将继续鼓励新来的加拿大公民考虑在公共事务或参政中扮演取更积极的角色。这对我们社会的进步至关重要。他们不应该因为自己是新来的加拿大公民，仿佛他们对国家的忠诚度自然比别人少，而分分钟都有可能遭遇审查，从而因为害怕遭指责的恐惧而沮丧放弃。诚挚的陈国治June 17, 2015
Open Letter from Michael ChanI wish to make a statement about the recent Globe & Mail articles that repeat 5-year-old, unfounded suggestions about me.I am grateful to Premier Wynne for her early and definitive statement on the topic, and her expression of confidence in me. I also want to thank the many people who have contacted me to offer their support.I came to this country as a young man. Canada welcomed me. While I am proud of my Chinese heritage, I am a Canadian first and foremost. I owe all the success I have had to this country and, most particularly, to the province of Ontario. I have been tremendously honoured to have been elected to the legislative assembly on four occasions, and to have been a Minster of the Crown for the last 8 years. I have been a strong advocate for the stakeholders and businesses I have had dealings with in every portfolio I have held. I have always conducted myself with the highest integrity.In my capacity as Ontario’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, I have travelled to many places – and will continue to do so – to promote trade relations with Ontario. Everything I have done has been to serve the best interests of the Province of Ontario, and the citizens of Markham-Unionville. I would like to think that in some small way I have served as an example to all Canadians who may wish to take part in public affairs.This week’s Globe & Mail articles are little more than a re-hash of ludicrous allegations published – and debunked – five years ago. Indeed, the Globe & Mail at that time properly called the suggestions “reckless, foolish and contradictory.” (Globe & Mail, June 24, 2010)Maintaining deep, meaningful connections with one’s culture, with one’s country of origin, is something millions of Canadians cherish. Our strong, personal ties around the world are a good thing – they are an integral part of the foundation of Canada and Ontario. Indeed, at Queen’s Park we celebrate the countries that make up the rich cultural fabric of Ontario with dozens of flag-raisings each year and nobody questions the loyalty of those in attendance.I would also like to make some personal comments.Although I have been a Minister for 8 years, it is probably true that most Ontarians do not know me well. For many, their first impressions of me will be from the headlines in the recent Globe articles.It hurts me that this is the case.The banner headline of the first article gives the impression the article contains a major revelation. The front page has a photo of me with the prominent headline in bold type stating that it has been alleged that “this Minister” (me) could be a “threat” to Canada. The body of the article contains a blend of innuendo and half-suggestions. Although there are no specific allegations, provocative words like treason and espionage are used for no reason. There is a persistent theme that there is a perceived risk that I am under undue influence and that I am an unwitting dupe of a foreign government.This is offensive and totally false. This personal attack is deeply offensive to me and to my family.We live in a society where freedom of the press is an important pillar. We all cherish the freedoms and protections we enjoy as Canadians. Informed debate is the lifeblood of our democracy and the press plays a major role. However, at the same time, nothing I have done in any way supports any suggestion that I am a possible threat to Canada or to Ontario.There is one other comment I wish to make. I would like to continue to encourage newer Canadians to consider taking an active role in public life. This is essential for our society to progress. They should not be discouraged by the fear of allegations that the everyday actions of newer Canadians need to be minutely examined to determine if they somehow have lesser loyalties to this country.Sincerely,Michael Chan
Statement by Thomas S. Saras, President NEPMCCOn behalf of the members of the National Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada I want to express our indignation for the kind of journalistic ethics some mainstream publications an among them, unfortunately, the “Globe and Mail” of Canada, reporting against members of Canada’s ethnic communities persuading a political career. Among them minister Michael Chan, a very bright, honored and hardworking Canadian politician.It seems to us that according to opinion of some reporters of this paper, only the Anglo-Saxons are considered to be trustworthy for the official business of the government and the rest of us should remain “servants” in the service of our Masters. This is exactly the very old thyme of the colonial years that the editors of the “Globe and Mail” are recollecting. We really feel sorry for them, as the times have changed dramatically since.Thomas S. SarasPresident & CEONational Ethnic Press and Media Council of Canada
