"The 19th century was the century of the United States. I think we can claim that it is Canada that shall fill the 20th century."
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier, 1904
Of course, Laurier was wrong. But was he wrong completely, or only off by a century?
Take a look at the current political landscape in the G7. Almost nobody outside the USA, and few people inside that country, respect Donald Trump or follow his lead. (Scott Morrison appears to be in the same situation in Australia.) Boris Johnson took power in the UK using the politics of division, and is currently taking the UK out of its only current free-trade partner. Emmanuel Macron and Édouard Philippe are having the usual troubles running France, and don't have time to act on the world stage. Shinzo Abe is forbidden by Japanese constitution from taking a large role in world affairs. Giuseppe Conte ... who heard of him before Italy became the European epicenter for the COVID-19 outbreak?
That leaves Angela Merkel and Justin Trudeau to take the lead in world affairs. And Merkel has already announced her retirement.
Everybody likes Canada. Our border disputes are "fought" by showing the flag, not by firing heavy guns. We have a reputation of treating people fairly (which, if you look at how we treated and treat our indigenous peoples, is not deserved) and of abiding by our international treaties. We have plenty of food (which we share in times of disaster) and natural resources, and climate change isn't going to change that.
Is it Canada that shall fill the 21st century? Maybe it is. And maybe, just maybe, that's a good thing.
- Sir Wilfrid Laurier, 1904
Of course, Laurier was wrong. But was he wrong completely, or only off by a century?
Take a look at the current political landscape in the G7. Almost nobody outside the USA, and few people inside that country, respect Donald Trump or follow his lead. (Scott Morrison appears to be in the same situation in Australia.) Boris Johnson took power in the UK using the politics of division, and is currently taking the UK out of its only current free-trade partner. Emmanuel Macron and Édouard Philippe are having the usual troubles running France, and don't have time to act on the world stage. Shinzo Abe is forbidden by Japanese constitution from taking a large role in world affairs. Giuseppe Conte ... who heard of him before Italy became the European epicenter for the COVID-19 outbreak?
That leaves Angela Merkel and Justin Trudeau to take the lead in world affairs. And Merkel has already announced her retirement.
Everybody likes Canada. Our border disputes are "fought" by showing the flag, not by firing heavy guns. We have a reputation of treating people fairly (which, if you look at how we treated and treat our indigenous peoples, is not deserved) and of abiding by our international treaties. We have plenty of food (which we share in times of disaster) and natural resources, and climate change isn't going to change that.
Is it Canada that shall fill the 21st century? Maybe it is. And maybe, just maybe, that's a good thing.
--
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown
Rob Kelk
Sticks and stones can break your bones,
But words can break your heart.
- unknown