Big questions
Fifty years ago, Canadians celebrated their country’s centennial with Expo 67, a joyous and hopeful coming-out party for the nation. A half century later, the sesquicentennial of Confederation is being marked by introspection and uncertainty.
Remember how the twentieth century was supposed to “belong to Canada”? Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier’s brash prediction turned out to be off the mark. And, as we wade deeper into the twenty-first century, Canadians everywhere seem to be questioning much of what they thought they knew about their country.
For instance, my parents, and their parents before them, were taught that Canada’s story began with the arrival of the “two founding peoples” — British and French — and continued in a steady linear path toward “progress.”
That version of history is, well, history now — and rightfully so. Today, teachers, students, historians, and everyday Canadians are delving deeper into the national narrative, shining new light on stories that were for too long pushed to the margins of history texts.
We are realizing that there have been winners and losers in this Confederation game. We’ve broken treaties with our First Peoples and at times stumbled badly on the road to equality for all Canadians. Our Dominion has somehow become a country of have and have-not provinces — and have and have-not Canadians.
And yet, at the precise moment when we are doubting ourselves the most, we are increasingly seen by other nations as one of the best places in the world in which to live.
As I write this, it’s hard not to think of the asylum seekers who, last winter, nearly froze to death stumbling through snowy fields to cross illegally from the United States into Canada. Imagine the desperation that drove their journey north toward freedom and a better life — toward Canada.
In this issue, we mark the 150th anniversary of Confederation by looking both to the past and to the future.
The centrepiece of this double-sized issue is “The Big Questions of Canada,” an essay series that tackles issues of crucial importance to all Canadians. What does it mean to be a nation of immigrants? How do we achieve true reconciliation with Indigenous peoples? Does federalism have a future? These are tough questions. Together, we’ll need to find the answers.
Is Canada perfect? No. Decidedly not. But we’ve gotten more things right than we’ve gotten wrong. And this July 1 I will be toasting Canada’s 150th with the hope that we can learn from our past mistakes, and also help future generations not to repeat them.