What Would Canada Do If It Didn't Have An Inflated Sense of Itself?

 

 

To wit:

When it comes to our international political relationships, Canada keeps some exceptional company. As well, Canada scores very high in numerous international studies on quality of life, livability, the strength of our public sector and of our social support programs, our health system, etc.

 

Yes, about that:

Over 2,300 Canadians died while waiting for a surgery last year as much of the healthcare system cancelled non-essential procedures.

According to a report by SecondStreet.org, at least 2,367 people are confirmed to have died in 2020 while on the waitlist for a surgery.

“The most unfortunate part about so many patients dying on waiting lists in our health care system is that many of these tragedies could have been prevented,” said SecondStreet.org President Colin Craig.

1,086 of the deaths reported came from Ontario. The true number of deaths is likely much higher as Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and most of Manitoba did not track deaths of patients on waiting lists.

More:

Interestingly, many of the studies in which Canada ranks highest are determined by what citizens in other countries think of Canada. In other words, much of the world outside the country thinks living inside Canada is great.

But how are Canadians feeling about our current environment and their future prospects? Do we recognize and appreciate how well things are going in the country? Do our views mirror the views of those who are looking at Canada from afar?

 

Again: 

Say “Canada” and Italians think of mountains and maple syrup, according to Department of Foreign Affairs research. People in France think of sled dogs and Niagara Falls: “Canada’s image has its strengths and weaknesses.”

 

That doesn't sound like anyone takes Canada seriously.

When one thinks of France, one might think of Claude Debussy or Victor Hugo. When one thinks of the US, one thinks of innovation and military might. Only airheads think of manga when they think of Japan when they could think of industriousness and sculpted natural beauty. The point is each of these countries knows what is is and has something cultural, natural or political to offer the world. Canada is a set of cheap stereotypes with nothing of value to offer.

 

This leads to the second point:

The answer is — not so much. In fact, when we examine the views of Canadians across our monthly 28-country assessment and compare us to the views of global citizens about their own countries, we are downright average.

 

Again, Canadians' inflated view of its domestic and foreign importance and the current state of its own country leads to a rather devastating conclusion: we are so self-important because the self-consciousness we possess is crippling.

Ask a Canadian to define what he is WITHOUT comparing himself to an American he has never even met.

He can't do it, even if he does repeat the same useless, unproveable, shallow platitudes he has been fed since childhood. Without pointing out how bad the Americans are, he is nothing. The country relies on some head-patting from bigger, better countries to make itself feel good when not putting down the Americans.

What a sad way to live.