by on

Many Canadians are waking up to the reality of having our values threatened. The United States President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to make Canada the 51st state of his country. It’s more important than ever that we define ourselves and our strengths so that we can fight against this geopolitical tyranny.

We talk about Canadian values, but does anyone spell them out? We could really use a moral compass right now and some leadership to remind us of that direction!

Here’s an attempt at spelling out Canadian values from my own personal perspective, but also from a lot of research:

Equality and Inclusion:

Multiculturalism: This policy was adopted in 1971, celebrating diverse cultures. Canada was the First Nation to adopt this policy.

Gender Equality: Equal pay and rights protections along with legal and social activism towards equity.

2SLGBTQ+AI Rights: Broad protections for the Queer community culminating in same-sex marriage in 2005. We were among the first countries to legalize!

Peace, Order and Government:

Our Constitution Emphasizes:

Social Welfare and collective responsibility

Cooperative Governance: between parties and levels of Federal, Municipal and Provincial Government

Stability of the rule of law: respect for the rule of law

Respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law:

The Canadian Charter of Human Rights came into being in 1982, giving us civil liberties such as freedom of expression, religion and assembly

The Environment:

Policies to protect natural resources, sustainability and mitigate climate change

Bilingualism:

Canada is officially Bilingual

Reconciliation:

Canada is working towards reconciliation with its Indigenous peoples including land rights, languages and cultural heritage

Compassion and Social Responsibility:

Canada’s social safety net is an expression of fairness, equity and community caring
This includes education, public healthcare, Canada pension plan and much more

Democracy and Civic Participation:

Canada has a strong democratic tradition based on strong institutions, free elections and the cultivation of civil society.

Most Canadians believe in looking after each other. We aren’t perfect and have some really challenging social issues right now.

What’s different about Canada versus the United States?

Whereas the U.S. emphasizes individual freedom, self-determination and personal responsibility, Canada emphasizes collective well-being, social harmony and responsible governance.

Canada has a policy of multiculturalism and encourages cultural retention alongside integration, whereas the
U.S. is a melting pot model for assimilation into a unified American identity. Canada celebrates diversity in official institutions whereas the U.S. often debates diversity politically.

Canada has a universal public healthcare and strong social welfare programs, whereas the U.S. has limited supports preferring to focus on charity or private initiative.

Canada has strict gun control laws, regulated and limited, whereas the U.S. see guns as a symbol of freedom and self-reliance.

Canada views itself as a peacekeeping cooperative nation with an identity shaped by moderation, diplomacy and tolerance, whereas the U.S. is shaped by independence, exceptionalism and ambition.

Canada is more secular in public life and government policy, whereas the U.S. has strong influence by religious groups on social issues and elections.

It’s important that we work to clarify, teach and really own these values that have evolved in our great country. We must fight to protect them and ensure we continue to work towards a more inclusive, diverse and equitable society.

by on

Throughout history, the relevance of Arts and Culture has been debated. If our current education system in Ontario is a beacon for the current views, then it is considered a superfluous commodity.

I’m in the process of reading Mark Carney’s book “Value(s): Building a Better World for All”. This was published in 2021, long before a conceived run for Canadian politics.

Firstly, the book is really erudite. It covers the history of economies in various cultures from the beginnings of recorded history. Even though it is a heavy read, I highly recommend it as a deep dive into where we’ve come from and where we are now concerning economic and social values. It also speaks to the changes we need to make to have an economy that serves everyone and not just the few greedy men.

How does this economist view art and culture?

Firstly, he believes that societal values extend beyond economic metrics. He believe that art and culture contribute to our collective well-being, identity and sense of community. Carney also believes that art and culture build social capital, empathy, shared experiences and foster trust and cooperation.

Concerning the value of art and culture during economic crises, Prime Minister Carney recognizes their roles in keeping mental health and social unity. Carney believes that we need to redefine value beyond monetary considerations that include human dignity and creativity alongside economic stability.

This is a leader who believes in a morally grounded economy with shared identity and non-material wealth. What a refreshing contrast to those who just want to lower taxes, cut services and have a “me first” society.

Canadians have a real choice to make. I hope we choose values that get to the core of who we are. Those values are rooted deeply in arts and culture. Values that have us build strong community, identity and social wealth.

by on

I had the great privilege of being invited to California State University at San Marcos to co-present a poster session on a new virtual classroom my friend Jim Wolfston at CollegeNET has created.

I was really hesitant to travel to the U.S.A. with the social unrest, political turmoil and Canada’s backlash against proposed tariffs the U.S. is planning for our country.

I’m glad I went! Social Mobility is the movement to help individuals and families to move up from stressful backgrounds of economic and social poverty to better lives. Its focus is on educational opportunities as a means to gather wealth; particularly University and College education. The gaps between those with wealth and those without are widening. This is not good for societies as it can lead to social unrest or opportunistic social engineering by those who gain power for personal wealth and control. These are the times we are living in!

While the conference was happening, protests could be heard outside of the facility on campus. I was actually escorted into the building with staff and police. The protests were against ICE and the forced removal of the “dreamers” from the U.S. Although many attending the conference would like to make the campuses “Sanctuaries” for the dreamers, the administration and particularly the University President is caught in a bind. If they do this, President Trump will cut their funding and shame them. This could be the end of higher education. He’s already starting to cut funding to higher education. Educated people often can see broadly and speak against things like tyranny. That is the situation as it stands.

I heard presentations from Presidents of Universities across the nation, students and those with lived experiences of coming from various poverties into higher education. The students stories were so compelling. Those stories remind me a lot of the work I have done with families and kids in The Aeolian’s El Sistema program. Newcomer families risk everything to make a better life for themselves, but especially for their children.

The advice given by those attending including Senators and State leaders was to “Stay Focused” on the Mission and Vision of equity, diversity and inclusion. A vision President Trump and his followers are trying to kill. There is so much noise in the world right now that can derail us and wear us down. Stay focused on your vision to make the world a better place and don’t let Trump and his agenda take away your dreams and creative work to make both your own life better and the lives of those around you!