Defining Canadian Values Amidst National Anxiety
In the week of Canada Day celebrations, a growing number of Canadians are questioning what it truly means to be Canadian. According to Warren Kinsella, the best way to answer that is to describe what is not Canadian—what is unwelcome here. Canada is not a place to come with hate, bigoted creeds, or beliefs that cause division and discord. It is not a place where lawlessness is favoured, where one can wear a mask and terrorize the innocent, or where ancient hatreds find a home.
The Erosion of Shared Values
Kinsella argues that the values that once united Canadians have come under strain, particularly in the wake of Donald Trump's re-election in 2024. Trump's call for Canada to become the 51st state, his denigration of Canadian prime ministers as mere 'governors,' and his threats of using 'force' destroyed the historic Canada-America partnership within months. What took more than a century to build was gone, and few American politicians defended Canada. This led to a surge of pro-Canada sentiment but also deep anxiety about the country's future.
Polling Data Reveals Divided Sentiment
A Postmedia poll found that about half of Canadians believe the country is headed in the right direction, while the other half described themselves as 'proud but worried.' Another poll in the Globe and Mail revealed that more than half of Canadians think the country is less united than it was five years ago, with nascent separatism in Alberta and a resurgent Parti Québécois in Quebec. Additionally, 60% of Canadians expressed the view that there is too much immigration, with the strongest sentiment in the Prairie provinces and Quebec.
Concerns Over Immigrant Integration
The Diversity Institute commissioned a survey that found 60% of Canadians believe there are 'too many immigrants who are not adopting Canadian values.' This concern is tied to shortages of jobs and housing, but it underscores a broader anxiety about cultural cohesion. Kinsella notes that this majority believes in free speech and free assembly but opposes the rabid mobs seen online, on TV, and in the streets. They want the fewer immigrants Canada accepts to embrace the values of peace, order, and good government.
A Call for Reflection
Kinsella concludes that Trump's attacks may have temporarily united Canadians, but those who come with hate can tear the country apart. The question remains whether Canada can return to a place of harmony, decency, and mutual respect. As the nation reflects on its identity, the challenge is to ensure that the values that define Canada are upheld and passed on to future generations.
