Kevin Klein - Winnipeg Sun
The left's agenda is destroying Canadian identity, threatening democracy
September 8, 2024
Canada has long been celebrated as a land of opportunity, freedom, and hope. People from around the globe have aspired to become Canadian, drawn by our reputation as a welcoming, fair, and democratic nation.
But today, our country’s identity is under siege, not from outside invaders but from within — by an ideology that seeks to erase what it means to be Canadian. The left’s relentless attack on our values, history, and sense of belonging is tearing at the very fabric of our democracy.
Once upon a time, being Canadian meant something. It meant embracing the ideals of hard work, resilience, and unity in diversity. It meant being part of a society that valued personal freedom, equal opportunity, and respect for the rule of law.
People wanted to be Canadian because they saw this country as a beacon of hope, a refuge from persecution, and a place where dreams could be realized. But now, we are losing that sense of pride and identity. It seems no one is simply Canadian anymore. Even those born here are often encouraged to identify primarily with their ancestry rather than with the nation they call home. We are told that being Canadian is something to be ashamed of, that our history is a stain rather than a source of pride.
The left has pushed the narrative that Canada’s past is unforgivable, that our ancestors’ efforts to escape persecution and build new lives here were not acts of bravery but of wrongdoing. They want us to feel guilty for our history, ashamed of our heritage, and hesitant to embrace our national identity. This is not just a harmless ideological shift, it’s a direct attack on the concept of what it means to be Canadian. It’s a movement that seeks to eliminate our identity and, by extension, undermine the foundations of our democracy.
We are witnessing the rise of a culture that discourages unity in favour of division. The left’s obsession with identity politics has turned Canadians against one another, pitting us into ever-smaller groups defined by race, gender, and ancestry rather than shared values and common goals. This divisiveness has serious consequences.
Instead of celebrating our differences as part of a cohesive national identity, we are being taught to see them as insurmountable barriers. The message is clear: you are not Canadian first, you are defined by your grievances and you owe no loyalty to this country’s ideals.
This erosion of our national identity is driving people away. More and more people are considering leaving Canada, not because of economic hardship or lack of opportunity, but because they no longer feel they belong. They no longer see Canada as a land of equal opportunity where hard work and merit can lead to success. They feel alienated by a culture that constantly tells them they are not Canadian enough or that their heritage is a source of shame. They are tired of being told that their concerns about crime, immigration, and the future of their country are illegitimate or worse, immoral.
Democracy thrives when citizens feel a sense of ownership and pride in their country. It relies on a shared belief in the nation’s values, a common understanding of its history, and a commitment to its future. But the left’s agenda is eroding these foundations. By constantly questioning the legitimacy of Canadian identity and the worthiness of our nation’s past, they are undermining the very concept of citizenship.
When people no longer feel connected to their country, they lose faith in its institutions, laws, and democratic processes. They become disengaged, disillusioned, and, ultimately, disconnected from the democratic ideals that once made Canada a shining example to the world.
The left’s disdain for Canadian identity is not just an academic exercise; it’s a dangerous assault on democracy itself. When citizens are made to feel that they do not belong, that their history is invalid, and that their values are unacceptable, they lose the will to participate in the democratic process. They stop voting, stop engaging in public discourse, and withdraw from civic life. This is not a recipe for a healthy democracy — it’s a recipe for apathy, division, and decay.
We must reject the left’s attempts to redefine what it means to be Canadian. We must stand up for our history, our values, and our right to feel pride in our country. Being Canadian is not something to be ashamed of — it’s something to celebrate. Our ancestors came here to escape persecution and build better lives and their stories are not ones of guilt but of courage. We must remember that we are united by more than just our differences. We are bound together by a shared commitment to the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity that have made Canada a great nation.
If we do not reclaim our identity and push back against this divisive ideology, we risk losing more than just our sense of national pride. We risk losing our democracy itself.
Canada is a land of opportunity, a place where anyone can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work for them. We are Canadians. If that is not something to be proud of, then why are we here?