A Canadian Commitment This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, more than any other holiday, is such a uniquely Canadian experience.

Sure, our Southern neighbours celebrate Thanksgiving too, but a month later, and without the remarkable tapestry of breathtaking Fall colours that seem so uniquely Canadian.     

As we gather around tables piled high with delicious meals, plates groaning with turkey and mouth-watering desserts, Thanksgiving has always been a time for family, for good friends and for giving thanks for being born in one of the greatest countries in the world.

Amidst that joy I always find this holiday to be one of reflection. The turning of the leaves signals another winter will soon be here.

And, this year in particular, with a Federal Election less than two weeks away, I find myself even more reflective than ever.

A year ago I penned a post which attempted to highlight that, as citizens of this remarkable country, we cannot rest on our laurels and take all the gifts and bounty of Canada for granted. That we need to use the Thanksgiving celebrations not just as an opportunity to give thanks, but as an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to everything that makes Canada special. 

Our Federal election is one of those shining examples. 

Living in a democracy means that each of us has an opportunity to select a Party that will build a bright future for our children, take care of our sick, look after our elderly, welcome new Canadians – as previous generations have welcomed Immigrants for decades, build our economic power – power that comes both from the land and from the sweat, toil and intellect of our citizens and project an image of international diplomacy, tolerance and solidarity globally.

At a time when strife, division and derision seem destined to tear many nations apart, the concept (and reality) of Canada can, and should be, a beacon for others to aspire to and a role model for many.

That is the Canada I have in my heart.

That is the Canada I affirm to help build.

That – sadly – is not the Canada I see on display during our current Federal Election.

I watch debates filled with snide sniping and social-media-ready-soundbytes, not a discussion about the remarkable privilege it is to be considered a contender to run this country.  

Most, if not all, of our leaders seem compelled to talk about why the other Party is so bad for Canadians and spend little or no effort convincing me why they would be so good for Canadians. 

And not just this generation of Canadians but the future generations too. 

Those that will inherit our land – will it be clean or monstrously polluted?

Those that will inherit our debt – will it be serviceable or will it be a noose around their necks? For a country that formerly lead the G7 fiscally, we shouldn't presume our AAA rating is a birthright.

And those who will bathe in our legacy – will they be seen as proud contributors internationally or the quiet, unassuming tenants living in the top flat of Planet Earth who never play their music too loud?

My generation has absolutely contributed to these issues but, as I look around, I see younger Canadians gleefully ordering UBER cars and 1-Day shipping from Amazon for the most trivial goods. We are all contributors to this - and it is only through genuine inter-generational collaboration - not shaming and finger-pointing - that legitimate solutions will be created.

If I am being completely objective, I can find merit in all the political parties and aspects of their vision for Canada. That is the joy of a democracy where multiple ideas can flourish without condemnation and ridicule.

Merit in plans to tidy up our environment and preserve the amazing ecology we are so lucky to call home.

Merit in plans to curb our runaway economic largesse and be fiscally prudent so our grandchildren aren’t financially hobbled before they’re even born.

Merit in plans to ensure we continue to welcome the best and brightest Immigrant minds and spirits in the world to live and work here.

Merit in plans that distribute our wealth equitably, tax appropriately and not exacerbate the inter-provincial tensions and squabbles that seem to be bubbling just beneath the surface.

I see merit in all those things because I am Canadian and those behaviours and attitudes reflect the very best of this nation.  

 When I cast my vote, it will be for the Party I believe deserves the unique privilege of governing our great country. 

Being Prime Minister is something earned by showing character, not by sowing social media chatter. Earned by having a vision, not by seeding division. Earned by showing fortitude, not by flexing your media-ready attitude. Earned by having ethics, not by perpetual virtue-signalling antics.

There can be no denying we are in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution and yet that common term has not been uttered once on the campaign trail by any of our prospective leaders. That is of grave concern if these are the men and women vying to plan our future.

Of equal concern, as I have written about often, is the unfettered and often reckless use of social media by our political class. The spin, the crafted soundbites are expected but it is the reckless and often-inaccurate fictions that are spun as fact that are criminally dangerous. The polarization and derision that comes from social media echo chambers should terrify those who seek to unify and strengthen our great country. Ironically it is often their social media content that seems poised to create even more division.

This Thanksgiving I reflect upon all these things.

I reflect on how fortunate we all are to live in this remarkable country.

And I reflect on how that requires us all to think deeply about who we give the unique privilege of governing us. 

I leave you with this remarkable quote from one of this country's most unambiguous leaders and master orators: 

From my family to yours – Happy Thanksgiving

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Note - I wanted to draw your attention to a special group of Canadians who are - in an objective and non-partisan way - are providing a valuable service as our Election draws near.

https://taxingawayyourdreams.ca is a website dedicated to evaluating all of the political parties on their fiscal policy and providing a non-partisan view on how that will impact our deficits, our future and our economic well-being. I encourage you all to visit the website and, if you're in Ontario, to attend one of their sessions.