The Strange Thing About Canadian Values

We hear a lot these days about how we need to protect public health from the grips of "nonsensical neocons" like Stephen Harper. There seems to be a war waging -a futile one as George Grant lamented 40-odd years ago - between grassroots political activists and the mainstream political and academic elite in Canada about 'values.'

This word has been used so often the very meaning has become elusive. Nationalists will say this is so because Canada has sold its national soul to American business interests; that everyday Canada is losing its identity thanks to gutless Ottawa.

There is some truth to this. Canada does possess some shockingly hypocritical and inept politicians. There is also some truth to the reality that Canadians do differ from Americans on several issues. This much can be found in artistic areas such as literature and music.

But how different are we? Canada, in my estimation, is a national experiment going horribly wrong. It has become the most decentralized federal state in the world where the Premiers routinely gang up on the Prime Minister and bicker about everything from unused toilet paper to immigration. Ottawa has dithered and caved in way too many times to the Provinces.

Canada must find its internal fortitude once more and take back some of its powers. Once upon a time the British pegged Canada to take over her Empire as the" sun set on England." The true north strong and free was an Imperialistic call for Canada to lead all Her Majesty's colonies into the 20th century. Instead, what we found was that Canada was not ready to take on such a responsibility. It found some maturity in Pearson and his fine diplomats but that was long ago.

The debate has always been either closer integration between America or Britain. Now we have leaders who believe that it should, after all, be with America. And this spooks many. We talk of our independence but how independent was Canada really? We like to point out that we went to war during the early part of the 20th century before the Americans, but conveniently overlook that we did so under the British Empire directive in World War I.

With a tight leash around our necks in the Second War, Mackenzie King dithered and bumbled his way into making decisions. Maybe this new group of intellectuals is trying to break one shackle to truly free Canada. Only problem is that they are making us a servant to the U.S.

Then again, our economy has always been a branch plant one with apologies to Mr. Hurtig. This is not nonsense but economic fact. We never fabricated our own self-sustaining automotive industry, for instance, and this is why we don't have any leverage when bargaining with the Americans.

Now it's a little strange for me to say this as I believe that there is really only a limited role government can play in our lives. The people who want to save Canada want to save it through expanded government. There has to be a better way. I'll discuss this in my next segment.

Back to the values. There is a crisis in Canada. This is not a conservative versus liberal debate - at least it shouldn't be. There is no doubt the public health system is rightfully under attack. Special interest will talk about anti-smoking legislation and gay rights but there is a deeper problem. The institution of the family is under attack.

Values such as discipline, responsibility and accountability are fast becoming irrelevant in the new world order.