We need to do a better job of recognizing real accomplishments by Canadians. We have people in this country who commit heroic deeds, overcome seemingly impossible obstacles, show unexpected leadership, excel in the arts and sometimes commit random acts of kindness. We need to find appropriate and balanced ways to better recognize these Canadians. We certainly need to improve on what we are currently doing.
Watching a friend receive a medal promoting the Queen’s Jubilee some time ago, we found the event to be excruciatingly boring, overtly politicized and it had nothing do with the British royals. It was particularly annoying to watch the Conservative Member of Parliament hogging the microphone throughout the ceremony, being photographed with each of the recipients and assuming a familiarity with each recipient that was not always welcome. Some of those people richly deserved the recognition of their community and it was a disgrace to see to see their efforts used so blatantly to political advantage.
The Queen’s Jubilee was an effort by the British government to add some lustre to a flagging English tourism. For the Canadian government to try to cash in on the event in such a manner showed how cheap and venal the current government can be. While destroying Canada’s reputation as a peace-keeper and honest broker to the world, this government has chosen to promote itself as monarchist and loyal—in a democratic country that has neither need nor desire to have royalty.
It is regrettable that the honours offered through the Order of Canada have become cheapened by people such as Conrad Black. Mr. Black fights to keep his call to the Order which he besmirched and ridiculed in renouncing his Canadian citizenship to become a sham of a British Lord. As a convicted felon in America, he seems to lack the dignity and honour to quietly return the trappings of the Order.
Meanwhile the provinces, universities and municipalities seek to honour those of their own through sporadic programs of honours. Frankly we do the best job in recognising the arts through writers, actors and music organizations. Businesses have also stepped in with the realisation that they are promoting their own products and services through awards named for their company or its products.
What we need though is a non-political, non-commercial way of recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of Canadians, particularly those who make a contribution to our country and to our lives as Canadians. Please, we need to seriously think about it.
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Copyright 2013 © Peter Lowry
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