Canadian politics: the issue of Canada Day

Self-tutoring about politics in Canada: the tutor mentions some reassuring ideas from a couple of Canadian journalists.

When I open a browser or start a new tab, I glimpse the news, sometimes giving it more attention: this morning is one such day.

The news doesn’t disappoint today, with numerous stories that have sent me exploring the Internet for context. Of them all, today’s talking point seems to be the uncertainty surrounding Canada Day celebrations.

In my opinion, Sabrina Maddeaux is spot-on with her opinion piece Canada day virtue signalling shows how far we’ve fallen.

Although the page on the web suggests Maddeaux’s story is a 4-minute read, I took much longer to read it, since it’s packed with meaning. To me, she makes the point that virtue signalling might actually signal indifference towards important issues and the people facing them.

Next, Maddeaux steers the reader to a compelling article by Melissa Mbarki. Therein, Mbarki hopes Calgary’s Canada Day fireworks cancellation won’t be associated with Indigenous Canadians.

Mbarki points out that Canada Day is not mentioned by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, nor by the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Perhaps a government that truly wants reconciliation could focus on the priorities mentioned therein, instead of on whether to cancel fireworks?

Returning to Sabrina Maddeaux’s article, Maddeaux makes the points that, if cities truly can’t afford to stage Canada Day celebrations, that in itself suggests a serious situation.

The articles by Maddeaux and Mbarki reassure me that someone still is paying attention, and telling the truth. So long as that’s true, we can hope that Canada itself will continue.