Canada's place

May 27

There is something happening in Canada this week, even the papers in the United States are writing about it: a Canadian NHL team has made it to the Stanley Cup championship after an 10-year absence. You thought I was going to mention the federal election, didn't you? The New York papers aren't the only ones who are paying more attention to the Calgary Flames than the Canadian federal election this last week in May. In preparing to write this piece, I asked a number of Canadians in New York what they thought of the upcoming election back home. The majority responded "there's an election?" That is not to say Canadians down here don't care about what happens at home. In fact, living in the United States has made many of us more Canadian and has taught us to appreciate even more the progressive social values Canada is known for; it is just more difficult to find news about Canada in the daily papers or on local TV.

I have always considered myself fiscally conservative but socially liberal. Since moving to the U.S., though, my social liberalness seems to have grown. I am proud that Canada has led G8 countries in recent years in economic growth and fiscal prudence, but I am even prouder that Canada continues to have programs such as universal healthcare and publicly funded education. Living in a country where health insurance and therefore healthcare is normally dependent upon your employment and where tuition for one year of post-secondary education can cost more than tuition for an entire degree in Canada, you learn to appreciate the "social luxuries" you left behind at home.

I admit the health care and education systems in Canada are not perfect, in fact, some would argue, far from it. But I don't think the answer is to move toward systems that are entirely dependent upon private funding. I will be watching this election closely for answers to problems such as excessively long medical wait times and under-funded schools, colleges and universities. Those answers are likely not to come in the form of immediate solutions, though that would be nice. But, instead, I hope to hear about viable step-by-step plans that are aimed at preserving our systems of healthcare and education for the long term.

I will also be watching this election closely for a strong opposition voice. Over the last decade we have heard the voice of opposition grow fainter, which I do not think benefits Canada's parliamentary system. How can there be healthy debate if the only ones left to ask questions are the backbenchers of the party in power? I hope that Canada is headed back to the days of a three-party system where there is a strong voice for each of the left, the center and the right. I think that would be a step in the right direction, regardless of who wins this election. I feel we are governed better when government has to defend its policies and laws in an open forum and even seek support of members of the opposition.

Canada's role on the world stage is very important to me. Whether it is as a result of Canada's opposition to the war in Iraq, its support of the fight against AIDS in Africa or domestic policies such as legalizing gay marriage or decriminalizing marijuana that make it into the international media, Canada's voice, while often not the loudest, is well respected. Canada is now known internationally for its social programs, its high quality of life and its fiscal prudence. A leader that is willing to stand up for Canada and do what is right for Canadians domestically and internationally should be the next prime minister. A political party that is not only concerned about doing what is politically popular but also what is right for Canada should form the next government.

I hope I find that person and that party over the course of the next 36 days.