Bravo Canada
As Canadians prepare to celebrate our nation’s 150th birthday July 1, the historic milestone provides the opportunity to pause, step back and take stock. Who are we, what are our values, our goals, are we proud of our history, and what do we hope to achieve over the next 50 or 100 years?
The answers are likely as diverse as this great nation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated some months ago that “. . . there is no core identity, no mainstream in Canada . . .” We are a nation of many cultures, races, backgrounds but we all share basic values.
The PM visited Prince Edward Island on Thursday, an appropriate coincidence that he came to the birthplace of Canada on the eve of our sesquicentennial.
Our identity is rooted in our history, which in turn is rooted in democratic values and traditions. We have enshrined our natural rights and freedoms, and limited the government’s ability to impose its powers, through the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The issue of screening immigrants on Canadian values was a volatile issue during the recent Conservative leadership race. A Corporate Research Associates (CRA) poll suggested that Atlantic Canadians hold strong core values. And they feel it’s important that immigrants coming into this country share those values. The poll doesn’t suggest Atlantic Canadians are racist, exclusionary or discriminatory. In fact, it proves just the opposite.
There is incredible support for welcoming diversity, inclusion and helping the needy. Just looks at the CRA numbers for nine core values which saw little variation across the region: Respect for those with disabilities – 96 per cent; freedom of speech – 94 per cent; freedom of religion – 93 per cent; gender equality – 92 per cent; democracy – 91 per cent; respect for cultural differences – 91 per cent; freedom of assembly or association – 91 per cent; support for economically disadvantaged - 89 per cent; bilingualism – 85 per cent.
The numbers are astonishing, and prove how inclusive, welcoming and supportive we are in Atlantic Canada.
Another recent survey tried to find out what defines Canada. It failed. The answers were as diverse as our various cultures and backgrounds. But two words stood out when people were asked to describe Canada - freedom and liberty. The most disturbing result of the survey was that a third of respondents admitted to a hatred of hockey.
Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier said in 1904, “The 19th century was the century of the United States. I think we can claim that it is Canada that shall fill the 20th century.”
As the U.S. erects barriers with an America first policy, building walls, raising tariffs and closing borders, Canada remains welcoming to all. Perhaps we didn’t fulfil Laurier’s prophesy for the 20th century, but we certainly can for the 21st century.
Tomorrow, as crowds gather on Parliament Hill and in capital cities, towns and villages across the nation, may we count our blessings and resolve to ensure that Canada enjoys an even better future.