So what are “Canadian values”? Our 150th national birthday approaches and I’ve read and listened a lot over the past years and decades about this subject. It’s recently gained more import since Donald Trump got himself elected as the U.S. President. That’s probably because most Canadians (and others) see him unfavourably. I think there’s also a wide belief in our country that Canadians are generally the opposite of what Donald Trump demonstrably represents.
I’d define “Canadian values” as the general principles that the majority of us believe in. You can sum them up in many ways and with different words. I think those I use below are representative of our values and a good summation – by coupling a few words, a phrase, and an overall approach to life that I like to think most of us share about living with others.
The three words I’d use would be honesty, integrity and fairness. Words that if adhered to let us all live together in peace and harmony regardless of ethnicity, religion, age, sexuality, political leanings, or level of prosperity.
The phrase I think sums us up is the philosophy of the Golden Rule – “That which you hate to be done to you, do not do to another.” It’s been around in various wordings for thousands of years in the bedrock civilizations of Egypt, China, India, Greece, Persia and Rome. Examples of it are also found in most religions and indigenous spirituality worldwide.
Last, I think our overall approach to living with each other is one of being compassionate. Of being cognizant of the hardships of others and being keen to alleviate them. The best recent example is our willingness to accept thousands of refugees from the Middle East. It brought out the best in us. It brought in new Canadians who I’m sure share the values I’ve listed above, and will instill them in their children, relatives, friends and acquaintances. I know this approach to living hasn’t yet met with 100 per cent success as witnessed by our ever-evolving relationship with our First Nations. That relationship, though, does seem to be progressing and getting better with more time and understanding on everyone’s part.
I think all of us should remember how we got to where we are. Keep our shared values and approaches to dealing with each other top-of-mind and close to our hearts, and strongly resist any efforts or pressures to change them in future.
I’m very thankful that I, my immediate family, my relatives, and my friends and acquaintances are all … “Canadians.”
Happy sesquicentennial.
David Merritt, St. Albert
