Canada Day this year marks the start of the serious political barbecue season leading up to the October federal election. There are promises to be made, hopes to be raised and disillusionments to come. It is so easy to promise nirvana and so damn hard to deliver. Bitter reality could set in with the first bleak snows of winter.
But consider this: what if the promise was just for a kinder Canada? Where would we start? Would we look after the very young and very old in our country first? Would we do something about the way we so cruelly mistreat our native population? Could we consider a living wage as a minimum wage? Can we really care about our environment?
Maybe we need to prove to the world once again that we are a kinder country. For too long now, Canada has been turning its back on goodness, grace and generosity. Can we open our hearts to the displaced? Can we find food in our land of plenty for those in the world who are hungry? Can we reject the cruelty of mindless bombing? Can we once again be one of the world’s respected peacekeepers?
Can Canada refuse the ideologues and incrementalists among us and take the giant steps that a brave and daring population want us to take? Big needs beg big solutions. A national drug plan is a daring step that would improve our economy. A guaranteed annual income would show the world it can be done. In an increasingly urban country can we build the subways and infrastructure that can make our cities more liveable?
Medicare is a great Canadian success story but it can be much better. Old Age Security needs to have more security. And we need to be sure that the support for our youth is really supporting our youth.
And if we said “yes” to a kinder Canada, can we start with those who want to be elected? Can we get their pledge to never be satisfied with a day in Ottawa that they do not help Canadians and others in need? Can they guarantee their daily efforts will be to end strife, terrorism, conflict and confrontation around the world through peaceful methods? Can they go to Ottawa to make a better Canada and a better world?
Canadians want hope this Canada Day. They deserve no less.
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Copyright 2015 © Peter Lowry
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