Our first spark: SHOW US YOUR CANADA
This project is about engaging with Canada, so we begin by defining our terms: What does Canada mean to you? Here’s what you told us this week
Welcome to CitizenSparks, an election-year project that’s all about showing how real people drive Canadian democracy. From now through October, we’ll challenge you to be political with weekly sparks to action. Anyone can take part, and we’ll showcase the results across Twitter and in Postmedia papers. David Campbell @Campbell_DA
My Canada is full of lakes waiting to be jumped in!
Andrew Do @ADoAbout Things
My Canada has politicians that will not feel need to prove “outsider” status but own up to the politician label.
Volunteer Toronto @VolunteerTO
Our Canada includes “secret superheroes” who willingly give their time to support their communities.
Politikelle @politikelle
In my Canada EVERY eligible citizen can vote. No more UNFair Elections Act. No more robocalls. No more voter suppression.
Carryl Potter @CarrylW
Let’s encourage honest, transparency, candour regarding responsible citizenship.
Nancy Close @neclose
My Canada includes making politics together!
Rob Carleton Regina
Canada’s parliamentary system is in dire need of a makeover. I’m sure the founders of our country did not envision a government that has become a virtual dictatorship. The biggest problem facing Canadian democracy is that ones whose support is needed to change it are also the ones who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
Karza von Karnstein @freiherrKvK
My Canada= original Cdn sci fi content @lostgirlseries @ContinuumSeries @OrphanBlack @bittentv @dark_matterTV & @Killjoys
Katie Clough Cobourg, Ont.
I live in small-town Ontario on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. I enjoy early morning walks along the beach. I lament the urbanization of Canada and the decline of the family farm. I also lament the disaffection and disengagement in the Canadian political process. I think Canadians should take long walks in the forests and contemplate how lucky we are to be Canadian.
Jennifer Jackson @JJackson_RN
My Canada provides health care for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Joe Spence Kanata, Ont.
Canada today is a democracy in which a minority rules. I don’t believe that’s how it’s supposed to work but fewer than one quarter of eligible voters elected the current federal government. Only 61% of eligible voters took the time to cast a ballot. And of that 61%, 39.6% voted for the CPC. That works out to 24% of all eligible voters. That should not be how a democracy works.
Ali Chatur @alichatur
My Canada is one where everyone, regardless of race, age, sex, or sexual orientation/gender identity is equal and protected in the eyes of society and of law. Unfortunately, this is not the case for many Canadians. Earlier this year, Bill C-279, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity), was gutted at the Senate, and was completely stripped of its purpose, which was to ensure the protection of trangender individuals. In 2015, all Canadians should feel safe to be who they are, and our laws should reflect that.
Trina Isakson @telleni
My Canada has a vibrant and citizen-supported nonprofit and charitable sector!
Chris King Simcoe, Ont.
My Canada is one in which potential leaders stop broadcasting attack ads and start promoting a clear statement of his/her own individual proactive platform without attacking others. If you cannot make the effort to say specifically what you plan to do to improve our province or country, then I cannot make the effort to vote for you or your party locally or federally.
Harry Rankin Calgary
I am a RCAF veteran of WWII — Proud to be a Canadian and just turned 90 years of age. I want Canada to continue to be a great country and as we go forward it is very important to me that Quebec stays a part of our country. Oui, je parle francais un peut.
R.L.M. Parent Delta, B.C.
In my Canada government taxes the rich to assist the poor so that rich don’t have to carry guns to keep their riches from the poor.
Priyanka J @primazing
My Canada understands the #sdoh (social determinants of health) and works towards true housing and income equality.
AinsleyKendrick @AinsleyKendrick
My Canada trusts its citizens and doesn’t need to enforce a Bill in the name of “antiterror.”
Arezoo Najibzadeh Ottawa
My Canada looks like the world’s playground; where people from all nations come together to celebrate unity & diversity.
Mae Cox Orillia, Ont.
My Canada is one in which everyone who has rights also has responsibilities and we take them seriously. We take part in our democracy by learning about issues and voting intelligently at every level of government. We are grateful for all we have and generous in sharing with those less fortunate.
Patrick McDougall Ottawa
You want me to show you “my Canada”? You’re welcome to join my wife and I on our daily walk. It takes us past a primary-grade school and the tiny playground next to it. That’s where you’ll find what you’re after: a sort of UN in miniature — pre-school children of parents from every part of the globe, hotly contesting a meager supply of sandbox toys. Just lately some of them are waving Canadian flags and arousing something I thought was foreign to me: I think it’s called patriotism.
David Bridger Loon Lake, Sask.
My Canada is a country that values all parts of society; business, working people, women, children, the elderly, aboriginals and recent immigrants. My country would have all sectors of the economy supporting a broad range of social programs according to ability to pay.
Jim Riesberry Brockville, Ont.
Canada at present is a dictatorship. Thanks to the Liberal governments from the early ’70s on, and especially the present government of Stephen Harper, we have been enslaved to a neoliberal ideology. In all parties the MPs are told what to say and when to say it.
Nessa Deans Edmonton
My Canada celebrates my immigrant culture and the important contributions to the arts, science, education and government that the Scots brought!
Reid D. Barry Ottawa
My Canada is a country of Northerners, used to living in a cold climate. As a people, we have made our country one that is not only unique but much admired around the world.
Theresa Wallace Brockville, Ont.
My Canada is taking care of the trees and water.
Lucinda Tooker Maple Ridge, B.C.
My Canada is democratic and supports the right for all workers to unionize, and for those unionized workers to freely negotiate their working conditions — unlike teachers in B.C. who now have to take this fight to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Florida Ann Town Port Coquitlam, B.C.
What is my Canada? It’s a pretty amazing place. I was born in Canada, on Canada Day, and am about as Canadian as you can get. But over the past 83 years I have seen my country change. Today, in the Sun newspaper, there was an article about someone teaching the Chinook language — the trade language, cobbled together to let people of different linguistic backgrounds, find a way to communicate. One of the phrases mentioned was Kalhowya — and another was Tillicum. I remember the Province newspaper used to have a Tillicum club for children, and the greeting was Klahowya. But it was never explained to the members of the club, that those words were Chinook. They were simply exotic passwords. What a shame they were glossed over, when they could have become an introduction to another aspect of Canada. My Canada has grown — and I hope I have grown with it.
MarkGiles @MarkGiles
The Canada I hold dear no longer exists. It has died under 10 years of Harper.
Mrs.K.Stephen @EurekaTeacher
My Canada has gorgeous green plants, plentiful fresh water and beautiful blue skies.