CANADA IS NOT FOR SALE

The US constitution upholds the importance of “Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” whereas in the Canadian constitution, it is “Peace, order and good government”. Image credit: *IRCC.*

By CHANDRAKANT SHAH, MD

The high achievers featured in every issue of Desi News share their journey in Canada and what it takes to be successful in the country.

No doubt, for new and old settlers it is essential to be successful in their newly adopted country so they can put their roots down.

To me, the next and fundamental question is, once settled, how does one truly become Canadian? “Learn hockey, say ‘eh’ at the end of sentences, be polite, celebrate Thanksgiving Day, getting into skiing and canoeing,” might be the response from many. “This will make you Canadian!” Yes, it will make it easier for you to integrate and life will be more enjoyable, but one needs to adopt and practise some unique Canadian values to be truly Canadian.

Here’s an anecdote from my early years in Canada.

Many moons ago, I used to teach a course at the University of Toronto on the Canadian healthcare system, how it evolved, its structure, financing, etc. In a small group session, I used to ask my students to imagine they were visiting Brazil and a stranger asked if they were American. They answered, “No, no I am Canadian!”

The stranger then wanted to know what was the difference between Americans and Canadians.

My students would list differences such as universal healthcare, fewer gun-related deaths, various universal social programs, love for hockey, etc.

While some of these attributes were right, I would point out to them that the fundamental difference lies in our values and is reflected in our constitutions and particularly in the last sentences. The US constitution upholds the importance of “Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness” whereas in the Canadian constitution, it is “Peace, order and good government”. In the US, the emphasis is on the individual’s life, liberty and happiness whereas, the emphasis in the Canadian context is to bring collective peace and order and wanting their government to be involved in programs and services such as universal healthcare, old age security, universal affordable childcare, etc. to help all her citizens.

Let me elaborate on the concept further in the following paragraphs.

Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of its size; its population is mainly concentrated in the South and it has harsh weather conditions. Before the white settlement in Canada, First Nations and Inuit people had understood these realities and for survival, they relied upon collective living and community members looking after each other. The early settlers had to do similar things. For example, they established a hospital or hired a doctor who would be shared by two to three surrounding towns. Sharing and caring became the ethos of the population and our nation, leading to its integration into our constitution. We promoted our government to be involved and develop programs and services for all including those who cannot defend themselves – the concept of universality and equality.

From time to time, as we evolved as a nation, our forefathers did make mistakes but as a nation, we matured and owned up to our wrongdoings. Even though it took a long time to realize our unjust actions and correct them, we ultimately tried restitution. There were many injustices towards Indigenous Peoples of our land. However, almost 125 years after confederation, in 1982 we enshrined their rights in our constitution; prime minister Stephen Harper asked for an apology for the residential school system (2007) and the government of prime minister Trudeau accepted all 94 recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (2015). Similarly, the government of Canada has asked for an apology for our wrongful actions towards the Chinese in imposing a head tax (1895) and barring their entry to Canada and Japanese Canadians for wartime internment (1942). All Canadians have supported such actions of our government.

The following are our Canadian values and to be true Canadians we must not only try to adopt them but practise them in our daily lives.

Democracy and rule of law: Canada values democracy, where citizens have the right to participate in free and fair elections. The rule of law ensures that everyone is subject to the law, and no one is above it. For these to happen, everyone eligible to vote should cast their votes in federal, provincial and municipal elections.

Equality and multiculturalism: The country embraces diversity and promotes the equality of all individuals, regardless of race, gender, religion, or background. We adopted this value in the late 1970s. While we all carry some ‘unconscious biases’ toward others; please work on them by reading, learning and knowing about other cultures. Canadians celebrate various cultural traditions and holidays, and these are good occasions to reflect upon multiculturalism.

Human rights and freedoms: Canadians value individual rights, including freedom of expression, religion, and peaceful assembly. Workplaces and schools promote diversity and anti-discrimination policies. But settlers sometimes bring intolerance and hatred toward different religious groups with them. These are often manifested as intolerance and violence, which have no place in Canada.

Peace, order, and good government: As mentioned earlier, this phrase, rooted in the Constitution Act of 1867, encapsulates Canada’s approach to governance, emphasizing stability, collective welfare, and effective administration. To achieve this over-arching goal, the government must generate revenue by taxation to fulfil their commitments resulting in high taxation in Canada. Please pay your taxes.

If you are passionate about a cause or want to bring about change, try to be involved by becoming a part of the local, provincial or federal government.

Respect for Indigenous Rights: Canada recognizes the unique rights of Indigenous peoples and acknowledges their role in the country’s history and future. Make sure that as settlers we understand that “we all are treaty people”. Treaties are in perpetuity and fulfil our treaty obligations toward Indigenous People. Land acknowledgments and efforts to learn about Indigenous history and culture are increasingly common in schools, organizations, and public events.

Environmental stewardship: Canadians value sustainability and the protection of natural resources for future generations. This important value has emerged over the past few decades as we witness the catastrophic events resulting from climate change. Recycling programs, public transit initiatives, and green policies are part of Canadians’ efforts to combat climate change.

Compassion and social justice: Social programs such as universal healthcare and public education reflect a commitment to fairness and collective well-being. They ensure equitable access to essential services

Canada is a multicultural and democratic country, and its values are reflected in its constitution, legislation, and daily life.

To be true Canadians, we must learn and reflect on the values of our adopted country and consider what legacies we want to leave for future generations.

Let us also send a clear message to Donald Trump, that Canada is not for sale and doesn’t want to be the fifty-first state of the US – we are happy and proud being Canadians!

SENIOR MOMENT

CANADA IS NOT FOR SALE