The differences of opinion between my older brother and I best characterize the growing philosophical division between Canada and America.
Several years ago, my brother applied for a position with a U.S. company. His high-tech skill set and managerial experience, (and his Canadian-ness), made him an extremely attractive prospect, and he was snapped up.
For decades, America’s educational system has fallen far short in training sufficient numbers of people for high tech jobs, and American companies have resorted to bringing in foreign workers to fill their needs. Canadians have always been highly prized – not just for their training, but also for their steadiness, their reliability, and their work ethic.
I realize I’m generalizing, but when it came to my brother, these generalizations where absolutely true. He was the classic Canadian man: steady, unflappable, conservative, and Democratic leaning.
And then something truly bizarre happened to him; He decided to eschew his Canadian citizenship to become an American. Then he moved down to Florida. Soon he was sending the rest of our family pictures of baby alligators, stuffed with a chicken, sizzling on the BBQ. He bought a big damn gun. He became friends with bible thumping red necks (again, generalizing) and joined a church.
Finally, the unthinkable happened. He became a Republican and a Trump supporter!
Uncertain how I should respond to this development, I decided to seek guidance from my Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Just as he is setting an excellent example of contrasting belief and philosophy, I decided I must, as a conservative Liberal and a Canadian, set a contrasting example for my family.
First, Trudeau minded his own business. As he’s said time-and-again, “it is not the Prime Minister’s role to comment on the American electoral process”. He wisely stayed out of the American bedlam of partisan hysterics, stating he’ll “work with whoever is president”.
Next, Trudeau congratulated Trump for his victory. It must have been hard for our Prime Minister to congratulate the person whose victory elicited happiness from groups such as the American Nazi party, the Klu Klux Klan, al Quaida, and the Kremlin, but he managed it with poise and grace.
Our Prime Minister has received plenty of criticism for not “standing up” to President Donald Trump, but I think he is handling Canada’s relationship with the U.S. exactly right.
Rather than directly criticizing and being verbally violent, Trudeau is demonstrating how Canadians view the rhetoric of fear, hatred, and religious persecution Trump is leading Americans to embrace. He’s providing a massive contrast to the current American Administration on many levels. We’ve become a role model of tolerance and open-heartedness in the face of fear and closed borders.
“To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada,” he tweeted.
The positive results Canada will experience as this contrast becomes more apparent to the rest of the world will be seen in the years to come. Even now, Canada’s embrace of immigrants and refugees in the face of U.S. travel restrictions has resulted in foreign talent looking more intently at Canada for jobs and International corporations eyeing Canada as the place to expand their operations.
There are some difficult challenges ahead – negotiating NAFTA, the resulting trade issues, operating in the world as America’s neighbour and ally, but I think Canada’s future is a bright one where my children will thrive. I’m proud of our nation’s leadership and I support Canada’s views and positions.
As for my Big Brother?
Like Justin Trudeau, I’ll try not to pick a fight with him. Instead, I will provide a strong contrast to his rhetoric. I will stand up and speak out as a Canadian ambassador. Perhaps my brother will once again remember it was his Canadian origins that led to his success in America today.
Whatever happens, our next family reunion will certainly be interesting!
Mathieu Powell.
Blog: www.writersrhetoric.com
See all articles by Mathieu Powell
I work with Mathieu and enjoy the experience immensely. This article by him is very typical of his curious, investigative, and thoughtful approach to his marketing work and his writing.
Thank you Doreen. Mathieu has a very engaging style and you never know what his next article will be about.
Thank you Doreen. Hi praise from an excellent fellow writer!