Former KGB agent Lennikov poses no risk to Canada

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Re: Lennikov had no right to be here (online comments, burnabynewsleader.com)

Mikhail Lennikov poses no threat to Canadian security. The church congregation that is harbouring him should be lauded, along with his supporters. I count myself as being one, having taken the time to meet him. We are trying to be rational, and logical regarding Mr. Lennikov’s circumstances.

My understanding is that the Canadian government granted Mr. Lennikov a student visa for years in this country, knowing then that he had worked in the Soviet Union’s secret service. No media story, no responses to my enquiries with MPs Jason Kenney or Vic Toews has led to an explanation why an antiquated law should be so diligently imposed on the family’s application for residency. Why cannot Canadian compassion also be extended to Mr. Lennikov, to keep his family together, is a mystery to many of us.

Every day we read of the “laws” of this country being made to fit specific situations. Why is this one so unlike all the others? There are born and bred Canadian citizens who have abdicated their “rights” yet are molly-coddled by the laws of Canada, and put themselves above the laws. They would be better tagets for your wrath. I wouldn’t be surprised that others have been accepted into Canada based on lies, or omissions on their applications. Yes, some come to light, and are addressed, but some are also under the radar. Mr. Lennikov is to be commended for not taking that approach when applying for a student visa.

I hope the letter writers, Mr. Luciuk and Ms. Skrypuch, are scouring the records and courts to ensure all law-breakers are getting no leniency.

Were these two writers there when Mr Lennikov was hired, there to scrutinize his job description, there to see that he personally was putting persons in democratic countries at risk? Do they have copies of the incriminating submissions to the Canadian government? Are they privy to any documents from the government departments, and their officials, who investigated Mr. Lennikov’s duties and dire deeds that he carried out while in that job? Unless they were, and have possession of such documentation, it’s time to stop barking up the tree that holds no bogeyman.

H. Arseneault

Burnaby