the new canadian

on Nov 12, 2009 the canadian government issued the new canada: heavy emphasis on military, monarchy, and technological innovation; and a downgrade on health care, gender, diversity, the environment, and of quebec as a province and not a nation.

the update was a response to the outdated outline last revised in 1995 under the liberal government.

i couldn't help but wonder how outdated the new revisions were. the re-alignement is more consistent with the middle-class, white, man. there is little mention of values that modern day canadians hold dear: freedom of choice, peace keeping, cultural diversity, tolerance, and sovreignty. instead, the new, 21-century canadian is defensive (via emphasis on the military), in alligence to the queen (not a problem as canada is a commonwealth nation), and engaged in traditionally male interests: fighting and sports.

the canadian identity has been contrited. new arrivals are reminded that it is not who they are but rather who they should aspire to be that matters. if anything, the new canadian identity heightens the emphasis on difference rather than celebrate it.

canada has regressed, and is less inclusive: a throwback to the early 20-century canada- which by any account was not a flattering era for new comers to canada, indeed.