George W. Bush and his gang of neo-cons have inadvertently promptedCanadians to more closely examine their own very different take on theworld. And they like what they see.

There are those, of course, who dismiss this phenomenon either as “mindless”anti-Americanism or narrow nationalism. But both these criticisms miss themark. First, an attachment to the ideas of tolerance, community, equalityand the rule of law is not anti anything. And as for nationalism, in Canadathis has almost always been expressed not as blind patriotism or narrowxenophobia, but as pride in and a commitment to broad social democraticideals.

The polling firm EKOS, put the following question to a large sample ofCanadians: If you were prime minister for a day, and had to pick overallnational goals for Canada to achieve by the year 2010, which of thefollowing would you choose? Here is how Canadians responded:

  • Best quality of life in the world: 66 per cent
  • Best health care system in the world: 64 per cent
  • Lowest incidence of child poverty in the world: 62 per cent
  • Best-educated population in the world: 57 per cent
  • Eliminate public debt: 50 per cent
  • Lowest overall tax burden of major industrialized countries: 45 percent
  • Highest productivity level of major industrialized countries: 45 percent
  • Highest standard of living of industrialized nations: 30 per cent

Canadians continue to reject the mantra of the economic élite by puttingtheir own priorities — quality of life, universal health care, and lowestchild poverty rate — far ahead of Bay Street’s preoccupation withproductivity, low taxes and debt reduction. The emphasis on quality of life,says the EKOS study, underlines Canadians’ view that government has apositive role to play in “in addressing problems in our collective life”because robust social programs are seen as complimentary to income.

In 2002, the Canadian Policy Research Network (CPRN) explored Canadianvalues in a comprehensive follow-up to a 1995 study. Day-long dialoguesaround the discussion theme, “The Kind of Canada We Want,” revealed that the1995 theme of investing in children “had strengthened and broadened toinclude the right of every child, youth, and adult to receive support tobecome a fully contributing citizen.” In 1995 citizens emphasized“self-reliance and compassion leading to collective responsibility,” whilethe 2002 dialogues revealed a desire for “mutual responsibility for allactors in society.”

Many commentators have mused about the decline of Canadian democracy but theCPRN study revealed something quite different. In 1995 citizens said“everyone should have a chance to participate in this kind of dialogue.” Butseven years later, Canadians were “stating their right and theirresponsibility to engage more actively in the policy process.” Manyparticipants suggested that governments get advice from program recipientsin designing those programs.

None of this is anti-American. Yet Canadians’ strong belief in fairness doeslead them to distrust the U.S. government. This distrust arises from twomain sources — American officials’ imperial arrogance, and their disregardfor trade agreements. In a poll done by the Innovative Research Group, 80per cent of Canadians described the U.S. as a “rogue nation” and fully onethird believe it is a “force for evil” in the world. Persistent tradeharassment by the U.S. has led 48 per cent of Canadians to the conclusion that“the U.S. cannot be trusted to treat Canadians fairly.”

While Canada’s élites are eager to hand over our sovereignty to ensure ourtrading relationship with the U.S., Canadians are nearly unanimous in sayingthey want to maintain that sovereignty no matter what. In a March, 2004 pollIpsos Reid found that 91 per cent agreed that: “Canada should maintain theability to set its own independent environmental, health and safetystandards and regulations, even if this might reduce cross-border tradeopportunities with the United States.”

These trend lines must give migraines to Bay Street’s annexationists, suchas Tom d’Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. Canadiansshow every sign of wanting nothing to do with undermining their quality oflife by being absorbed into the ailing and paranoid giant to the south.

Books and studies galore reveal the very stark differences in values held byCanadians and Americans. EKOS asked people what being a Canadian or Americanmeant to them. Having universal health and social programs was identified bynearly half of Canadians polled, but less than a third of Americans. Twiceas many Canadians opted for paying taxes. Almost three quarters of Americansbelieved that aiming for “the good life” — measured in things — trumped allelse. Canadians’ emphasis on collective rights led them to put a healthyenvironment, a tolerant multicultural country and individual liberty aheadof the accumulation of wealth.

Tom d’Aquino, meet Canada.

murray_dobbinBW

Murray Dobbin

Murray Dobbin was rabble.ca's Senior Contributing Editor. He was a journalist, broadcaster, author and social activist for over 40 years. A board member and researcher with the Canadian Centre for Policy...