Editor,
When I am lucky enough to travel outside our country and am asked “where are you from?” – I now simply reply, “Canada." I used to say that with pride and a smile. But my level of pride is shrinking and my smile now has a hint of hope, or perhaps apology, in it.
I still strongly believe that we live in one of the best countries in the world. We are very fortunate to have been born here or to have "won the lottery" and been able to immigrate to this favoured land. So why am I feeling somewhat let down by the system that we live by, by the leaders at all levels, by the decisions that are made on our behalf?
Part of that feeling stems from changes in the balance of powers between the various levels of our federation. Provinces seek more so-called self-determination, domination over their turf, but are quick to blame the central government for lack of funding, poor regulations and interference in their "rights."
Political attacks are made against persons, or institutions, rather than constructive debate at all levels of ideas and objectives. Municipalities are being forced into certain actions regardless of what the resident population may aspire to. People are becoming more radical, distrusting of politics and politicians. We seek news and opinions but find that they are being shaped by those seeking power, or profit for themselves, regardless of what is factual or truthful.
How many of the people you respect would be willing to become our political representatives, or leaders? Those I ask, with perhaps one exception, respond "No way!” Or in a joking manner, if only I could be king for a day. Why? Simply because to run for office is to risk a lot, to have all of your personal history subject to scrutiny; the good, the bad, and even the ugly, and to have it twisted or misused to attack you.
It is simply not worth it for the majority of us.
To me, Canada is much better than the sum of its parts. We have history that in many ways shows us this – it is one reason why Canada is considered a favoured land. Is our history perfect and one that we can be proud of? No way. But we have learned from mistakes, and generally we are better for that effort.
Our elected persons at all levels need to seek wisdom through a search for facts and guidance from those who may best help them to understand the facts, the truth, as seen from all sides. Our representatives need to nurture the rights that they are responsible for. They should argue knowledgeably, contributing to, and listening to, opinions that will strengthen our Canadian collective.
We seek trade agreements with other nations, but between our provinces we have many barriers to trade and commerce. Varying jurisdictions define local professional bodies, asserting the rights of the provinces to oversee and license – but to whose benefit? Certainly not that of the population as a whole.
Our borders are lines on maps that we believe are fixed, but that belief is not matched by our ability to ensure those lines are respected.
For example, changes in the North have opened up vast areas to potential exploitation and possible harm. What could we do about it if somebody wanted to exercise the strength of a bully?
As a country, we need to take care of what is collectively ours. By developing the strength to do that, in improving our ability to do so, we may be able to take care of our own house.
In accomplishing that task, we might then better serve as an example to other nations as to what we care about, what we believe in, and why we continue to earn the right to be a favoured nation. It is not only the northern border that we should be able to properly care for, but all our borders, ports, airways and communications systems.
We live in a country of great riches. We also live in a world that we need to take care of, for in taking care of our global environment we take care of ourselves. Critical items are the air we breathe, the water that sustains us, and the food that we harvest.
Air knows, nor respects, any border, yet we continue to heat our planet resulting in destructive forces in terms of fires, changes to our very climate that is affecting lives around the world. Our governments have taken some steps to encourage change in how we live, to moderate how we pollute the air we breathe, but some do not understand or respect the facts related to our inaction.
Action is required. If current methods are not sufficient or appropriate, then the debate should be a constructive one of what are the other alternatives? Are they better than what we are doing now? History has shown that trans-border (provincial or national) actions could mitigate the effects of acid rain. Solutions were sought; actions were taken at all levels. We must work together to solve our current problem and not point fingers at others.
Can we become leaders by our actions?
Water — we are made of this. We require hydration to survive, and water to grow our food, yet we use it as a disposal system, either deliberately or by lack of understanding. How is it that we have communities that no longer have fresh drinkable water?
Poisons enter the streams, and microplastics become indigestible food for the fish that we in turn consume. The rivers become overheated and the needed reservoirs in ice and snow melt away. Precious water may indeed become a valuable commodity; sought after (by many means) to allow crops to grow and cities to drink. Yet we deplete and contaminate aquifers.
Water is a national resource; it does not stop at borders. It needs to be protected for us and for all, cherished.
Our standard of living has been created by our hewing of wood, growth of food, extraction of resources and, to a lesser extent, by our energy to devise, to manufacture, and to create.
At one time our balance of trade was positive – we sold to the world more than what we bought. It is now slipping, and we are buying more than we export. The result of our not being able to take care of ourselves, and to effectively compete, will be a reduction in our standard of living, the value of our currency to the world will decrease.
We need to have systems, mechanisms to ensure we, as all Canadians, obtain full value for our resources and the products of our collective efforts. As a society, we need to become less reliant on these limited natural resources and smarter in how we add value to them.
We need to collectively look to ourselves and devise means to prosper through cooperation and the development of ideas for the better of all.
We, all of us, those born here and the “lottery winners,” must collectively work harder and smarter to continue to be a favoured land.
Terry Peel, Surrey
