My mom and I had a rather heated discussion last night about regionalism in Canada after having read this article in the Calgary Herald. If you are not up to following the link, I can tell you quickly that the article deals with energy prices, the issues surrounding the environmental implications of the continued development of the oil sands, and what (some) Albertans refer to as 'Alberta envy.' Basically, three former Alberta premiers - Peter Lougheed, Don Getty, and Ralph Klein - are in agreement that the economic windfall Alberta is experiencing (we're talking a projected surplus of $12 billion this year), brought on by the soaring price of oil, has made Alberta an attractive target for federal wealth redistribution schemes (i.e., the Liberal Party's 'Green Shift'). So, our conversation was really about the Alberta-ROC (rest of Canada) relationship, but by the end of our discussion I just couldn't get the larger questions about the regional, linguistic, and aboriginal divisions in this country out of my head.
The cleavages in Canada are complex. We have the Anglo-Franco divide which is the result of having two "founding" peoples, each with a different language and culture, and a history that seems to stubbornly prevent any lasting reconciliation. We have a First Nations population which, as a result of one poor or unjust decision after another, finds itself disenfranchised from the non-aboriginal Canadian population. And, just as significantly, although often neglected, is the deep, and sometimes intense, tension that arises out of the fact that Canada is just so darn big! The needs and interests of Canadians in each region from sea-to-sea are so divergent, that it seems there is no way to find a common ground between what works for those in northern British Columbia, and what works for those in southern Manitoba.
So now I'm wondering, can anything be done? Really, CAN anything be done? Because as I get older and, I suppose, as I become more alert to the implications of the divided nature of Canadian society, I really am beginning to think that a truly unified Canada is nothing more than a pipe-dream. Or, if there is a way to bind us together and overcome our differences, I sure can't see it. I am sort of wallowing in my pessimism right now, so I would love to hear if any of you have some fabulous idea of how we can create one "happy Canadian family." Any thoughts?
3 comments:
I wish I had a brilliant thought to write down, but I am in the same boat as you :(
It would be great if everything could be as simple as I thought it was when I was younger! All Canadians were unified, proud to be Canadian and everything was just peachy - we were the best country in the world. Sadly, after taking this course and really looking at Canada's cultural mosaic, I find this idea simply a dream.
I think most of it has to do with the size of Canada. Let's face it, our Eastern provinces need assistance because they are not rich with oil sands, economic prosperity, lumber etc. I think it is more than fair to ask our Western provinces to help out our Eastern ones, but only to an extent. I think if I were an Albertan, I would be a little peeved about having the government take so much of their surplus and give it away. It's like punishing a child for doing something good. It is counter-productive and if our governments keep taking the wealth of other provinces to support the weaker ones, then we are going to see much more division among provinces.
Again, Canada is trying to be accommodating to all provinces and cultures etc., but unfortunately, as we all know, it just doesn't work. Good intentions are simply good intentions. I think our land mass plays a huge role in this and there is simply nothing that can be done about that.
I wish I had a better answer, but I too just cannot forsee how Canada will ever live up to that unified view I had when I was younger. Growing up sucks.
Erin
Hi Alana,
Well put, I think your post sums up the reality of Canadian politics perfectly.
I think the fact that most Canadians don't realize how deep the divisions run will be an important measure of Canadian unity in the future. Either ignorance will continue to be bliss for the majority of citizens, and act as a bond that keeps Canada together, or the continuous lack of recognition will intensify the drive of nationalists to separate or, worse, retaliate.
I'm sad to say that my resolve for Canadian unity is not what it once was. Colloquially, I generally feel like "if you don't want to be here, I want you [to be able] to leave."
The sad reality is that, while it would be lovely for Canada to unite for Canada alone, that's just not the way things work. Simple fact is that human nature gives much stronger impulses to unite against than for.
Take the example of our neighbors to the South, arguably the proudest nation on the planet, who were also devided on damn near anything. Then they got attacked. Overnight America became one cohesive unit, joined together against a common foe. I could be talking about 1941 or 2001, the result was the same, solidification of a nation.
Canada, however, is regarded by the majority of non-Canadians in a sufficiently positive manner that, thankfully, this sort of thing hasn't happened to us. The downside, no moment of rekconing to force us to stand as one.
Short of the Second Coming, arrival of aliens or the discovery of unlimited, free energy, I fear it would take the $#!# obliterating the fan to unite the nation.
Personally, I'd rather deal with a little bickering than what it would take to end it.
ybt
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