We will have a new government by the time this column is published. Our votes will hopefully be counted and a government in waiting.
What do we do with the factions created? How does the Albertan willingly go to work, pay their taxes, knowing that the Quebecer getting a good portion of his taxes voted against his very livelihood? How can a government employee go to work, if the government elected promised to reduce the civil service?
At the end of the day, we all live in Canada, and we have to find a way to live together, regardless of our political views, and outcomes of elections.
My concern is that when we focus on our differences, especially a diverse country like Canada, we are at risk of losing the cohesiveness needed to maintain a sense of togetherness. Canadians need to know that together we are stronger than apart.
I am not a rabid nationalist, but we do need a sense of what it means to be Canadian. Our political leaders do need to feel that Canada is worth getting the best trade deals; that Canadians deserve to be treated well abroad, simply because they are Canadians, and we take care of our people.
I wrote previously about Canada maybe not having a specific national identity, but I think that's wrong. I did a bit of research and found that that idea came from Justin Trudeau. Perhaps he was trying to demonstrate his tolerance and openness. However, at a very basic level, declaring we have no identity does not mean we are tolerant or virtuous. It may simply mean we don't care to think deeply. They are "neutral" words that mock those that have left home, jobs, and country to come here. It makes a mockery of our men and women in uniform. Why risk life and limb to fight for a vague nothing?
If our political leaders cannot properly articulate what it means to be in Canada, perhaps it is time for ordinary Canadians to think about it. Our shared values were more clear a hundred years ago when men and women were fighting a common enemy. Then, our political leaders were all of similar backgrounds. We owe it to the sacrifice of the ordinary Canadian, all those who fought for our right to determine the Canada that would survive. We need to work out what we have done with the Canada they protected.
We have created a multiethnic country, but we are surely not just a disconnected collection of disparate groups. Finding our shared values, the things that bring us together is the key to building our sense of Canada. That will make us a country worth defending, worth fighting for in our trading relationships, and worth voting in an election for.
My challenge for us, regardless who has won the election, is let the things that divide us guide our personal choices in our personal lives -dining room tables, social groups, organizations we support. Those things provide richness and diversity.
Look around for what unites us. Have coffee with the rabid environmentalist neighbour. Or with the person who bravely puts an opposing election sign on their lawn. Or with the one you see crossing your picket line. Or the government employee who audits tax returns. Or the lady who carries a sign opposing abortion. Or for the one who worships at the mosque, or the tiny church, or the big church.
I think our lack of a strong sense of Canadian identity hurts us more than we think. We have work to do.
