Editorial – On October 19th We Can Take Our Country Back

Editorial by Jason Setnyk.

When I was a child I was proud to be a Canadian. I was proud to live in a country that celebrated and welcomed diversity. I was proud of Canada’s reputation as a peace keeping nation. I was proud that Canada was a leader in environmentalism. I was proud of Canadian Government policies such as publicly funded health care; progressive taxation; outlawing capital punishment; strong efforts to eliminate poverty; strict gun control; and most recently the legalizing of same-sex marriage. These were social indicators of Canada’s political and cultural values. I was proud of our Canadian heritage too, from arts and culture, to the CBC, to sports and hockey. Canada was not a perfect country, but there was always love, hope, and optimism in my heart. Step by step Canada was becoming a greater nation, and the future always looked bright and amazing.

Over the past ten years something has changed. I don’t recognize Canada anymore. I see too many people who are underemployed, angry, and scared. I read something in the news a few weeks ago that epitomized that point – a pregnant Muslin woman was assaulted on the streets of Canada because she was wearing a hijab. I am saddened and in a state of disbelief. This is not our Canada. I want our country back. The pendulum needs to swing back towards progress, a strong and diverse economy, multiculturalism, social programs that help children and families and seniors, and a prosperous and better future for all. My heart yearns to feel love, hope, and optimism again. Things need to change, and we need to take our country back.

There are many ways to take back our country. One way is to vote on October 19th. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “be the change you want to see in the world”. If enough of us do that, we can make a difference, and we can take our country back.