I participated in the Canada Day parade with many others who were all spreading the message of the kind of Canada we once knew and loved and would wish for going forward. We see a decline in many areas of Canadian government responsibilities for programs and services that were built up over decades.
Now this huge investment in innovative legislation and programs and services, human resources and funding programs is being damaged by short-term thinking by the Harper government.
I am still a proud Canadian and love much of what we have accomplished as a nation. However, I and my fellow Yukoners (see the Facebook group Democracy for Yukon for Canada) want to ask all Yukoners to consider what is being lost, in particular through the recent misguided passage of the omnibus budget bill in the House of Commons.
So, while considering the decline in federal programs and services through legislative change, public service layoffs and the shutting down of several public institutions I invite all Yukoners to complete the following sentence with a set of reasons why they would continue to love their Canada:
“I love a Canada that ...”
Here is the way I completed the sentence on my Canada Day parade sign:
“I love a Canada that has strong environmental stewardship and Fisheries Act; low carbon energy systems; a restored Parks Canada to be proud of and show the world; social programs fully funded and fair electoral and taxation systems.”
The success and sustainability of our national, territorial and local economies depends on these above factors along with the engagement of Canadians in a truly democratic dialogue about our desired future.
John Pattimore
Whitehorse