Additional October Letters

Myles Leslie
Toronto, Ontario

I Spy
In The Walrus’s online exclusive, “The Very Strange Case of Hussein Ali Sumaida” (July/August), Andrew Mitrovica and Roxana Olivera report on a very strange case indeed. At first glance, it appears double agent Hussein Ali Sumaida has more lives than the proverbial cat. However, the bizarre circumstances surrounding his arrival in this country suggest that he has not heard the last from the Canadian government.

As compassionate as Canadian immigration law may be, it is difficult to imagine Sumaida integrating himself into normal, everyday Canadian life. Not for lack of skills, for surely there is a growing demand in this country for individuals who know their way around the intimate leather apparel industry. However, Sumaida’s spy profile has almost certainly earned him a prominent place on Canada’s latest aberration: the “no-fly” list. And should Sumaida manage to avoid being officially blacklisted, I could see Air Canada or WestJet customers heading for the nearest emergency exits if they saw him on a plane. Not a comforting prospect for Sumaida or for traveling Canadians.

Pastor Valle-Garay
Toronto, Ontario