In a time of drastic displacement, is Canada a beacon of hope for refugees? Dr. Mary Jo Leddy explored this question in her lecture, “Room Enough for Hope: Canada’s Response the Refugee Crisis,” on March 3 at Grebel. The public lecture was part of the Rodney and
Lorna Sawastsky Visiting Scholar Lecture series.
“We have….throughout the world, various forms of….empty nationalism—a nationalism that thrives on threat….that needs enemies as the social group to hold a country together,” said Dr. Leddy. “We have a choice to make. Is that the kind of empty, fearful, threatened country
that we want to be, or do we want to be a country shaped by hope, by a sense of purpose, by a sense of gratitude...?”
Mary Jo Leddy is an author, social activist, theologian, and founder of Romero House in Toronto—a safe haven for refugees. She is also a member of the Order of Canada, which recognizes outstanding contributions and dedication to community and nation.
