A Letter:

Monsieur Jean-Francois Fortin,
Depute (Haute-Gaspesie---La Mitis---Matane---Matapedia)
Chambre de communes
Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6
June 9, 2011

Monsieur Jean-Francois Fortin,

Yesterday, when I read about your kind gesture of staying in the House Chamber for the National Anthem, I wanted to personally thank you for respecting what it stood for and symbolized to others in this country.

I know that you are a member of the Quebecois sovereignty movement, but that you are also a Canadian as Quebec is still part of Canada.

Being an ordinary individual I am apolitical to begin with, thus I am not at all impressed by politicians or the political elites of this or any other country. I believe that we as individuals can contribute much more to society than all the elites that live in their ivory towers. Because to them they have achieved nothing by toil and sweat, like the average person who goes about their daily lives working to make this country a better place, without even expecting anything in return.

I would like to tell you a story that I don't know if many have heard it and learned from it. During the American Revolutionary War, American General George Washington accepted the surrender of a Hessian mercenary force at Trenton, New Jersey in December 1776, and out of generosity told the Hessians that they were welcome to stay and settle in America. Now why am I telling you this story? Because, I feel that there is a historical comparison with empires of the past, that no longer exist and the present day situation in Canada. Instead of trying to divide this country, why not put all your efforts into making this land a better place to live in for future generations, both yours and mine? But first we must move away from those things that in the past were a bone of contention, and seek means and ways to unite this land as never before, that others may emulate it.

Now I speak as a father, because three years ago, I lost a son who died under very mysterious circumstances, and his name surprisingly enough was Louis-Joseph Tellis. Do you why I named him Louis-Joseph? Because, I felt that I wanted to honour him by giving him the name borne by Louis-Joseph Marquis de Montcalm the French General who died at Quebec City in 1759. Let us therefore both you and I, seek ways where we can work together at uniting, not dividing Canada, not for ourselves alone, but for generations yet to come. Then let us go forward without recriminations and find solutions that would bring peace and prosperity to this land.

In ending this letter, Jean-Francois, may I take this opportunity to welcome you back into the Canadian family once more? That of course would be my dearest hope for the future.

In friendship and unity I close this short letter, hoping that you will favour me with a reply.

Sincerely,
Kenneth T. Tellis