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Luticia's avatar

Wow Dan, this really got at the heart of it. As a fellow Canadian, a Metis, and whose work is centered on Indigenous economic Reconciliation, it hits home. In fact, I am blown away by the stark cause-and-presumed-effect you have laid out here and just how silly we do seem in throwing around big-boy terms without serious consideration to what they mean or what we might then be expected to do about it.

Our hero’s are few and far - fewer and farther these days - and our population so few that our leaders seem tangible, touchable. Their proximity makes them seem more human than the mega-personalities that rule other Nations and are responsible for their ills. I wonder if that contributes to our unwillingness to hold our own to account -commensurate with the charges we’ve convicted them of. If that’s the case, it should stand as a warning to some of our more ‘Superstar’ seeking leaders, fly not too close to the sun as you’ll surpass the protective orbit of us commoners.

This piece has sparked no small amount of inner-turmoil. Much to think on, sit with, and reconcile within. Thanks for this heavy bit of accountability. We only grow by doing hard things.

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Joel Watson's avatar

This is excellent, sad, and true. As to matters foreign rather than domestic as a possible excuse, ask what domestic infrastructure has been built post COVID to prevent spread of the next pandemic? What newly designed hospitals and seniors homes have been built? What new medical and nursing schools? LNG to tidewater to assist Europe against Russia? Opiate crisis? Drinking water on reserves? Anyone? Bueller? Canadians are not serious on any issues at present, foreign or domestic. Our per capita GDP is a disgrace. Our Confederation is at risk from insensible ideologues of the left and right. With respect to the politicians, if you want better than demand better and the mudslinging ends when it ends with each of us. Play the puck not the man. Debate policies and judge on achievements not annouceables.

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