On 26 September, Lou Bondi commented on BondiBlog about the Maltese in Toronto. This was done in response to the visit of MEP Edward Scicluna in Toronto where he spoke to the Maltese audience about Malta and Gozo within the European Union at the Malta Band Club.
This is what Lou Bondi wrote on his BondiBlog, and I quote: “My, how the Malta Band Club members have changed since I left Toronto over 20 years ago. I am really pleased to see – how shall I put it their great and sophisticated leap forward in their grasp of global politics and high finance. Alas, when I was there they were just interested in beer, pastizzi, horse races and working as much overtime on the shop floor as they could.
“Yet for Edward Scicluna’s talk they morphed into panellists of Oxford University debating society. Go figure.”
Lou, your comments had a hefty dose of arrogance. What need was there to insult the Maltese community members who attend the Malta Band Club and others who attended Prof. Scicluna’s presentation during his recent visit? Those attending came from different political hues. Yes, it was a very interesting evening where the welcoming crowd enjoyed the talk and did come up with relevant questions. Mr Bondi, you have surely written your post in your blog without having any idea at all of what really happened. I wonder, it may surprise you that many of us do follow what is going on in Canada, Malta and in Europe by means of the “sophisticated leap forward” in technology of these last 20 years. Though maybe not intended, it seems that you hold some old grudge and took the opportunity of using Prof Scicluna’s article in the newspaper l-orizzont to take a swipe at the Maltese community in Toronto. One can understand why you could not criticise Prof. Scicluna’s presentation because you have not informed yourself but for goodness sake, your comments about the Maltese community in Toronto are unwarranted, particularly coming from you who as an ex-Consul General should have learnt and should know better.
In Malta, many politicians do talks and presentations week after week about global politics and high finance and most attendees may not have done the great and sophisticated leap forward that you perceive but they do understand the gist of the messages presented.
Whenever VIPs from Malta come to visit in Toronto, we are very proud and pleased with their presence and yes, we do show it. Just ask PM Gonzi, Archbishop Cremona, Alfred Sant, Eddie Fenech Adami, Joseph Calleja and Edward Scicluna himself. Your memory seems not only short but also stale. You should keep updated from time to time about your Alma Mater alumni of Maltese background and also about the community you chose to serve for a while over here. It is with pride that the Maltese emigrants can say that during these last 20 years, very many kids of theirs have successfully studied in universities such as yours and yes, they too enjoy pastizzi.
■ Frank Attard
Toronto, Canada