No Time For Complacency

Tomorrow, we enter our 150th year. In 1867, John A.Macdonald's dream seemed like a shot in the dark against Manifest Destiny.  We've flirted with failure, but we've managed to survive in North America's Attic. And we've survived because we've refused to become complacent.

Now that 150 is just around the corner, Peter MacLeod writes, we must not become smug. There are all kinds of questions which we must face head on:

Does a mature and self-respecting country tolerate the systemic injustices that persist between its indigenous and nonindigenous citizens?

Is it satisfied after 150 years of effort to see families still struggle for decent housing, good child care and meaningful employment?

Has its history depleted the land on which it rests or has its ingenuity made possible a gentler balance?

Are its civic and cultural institutions inventive and edifying?

Is every child welcomed into a society that will nurture their talents and invest generously in their future?

Has the country grown overproud and complacent or does it still dream restlessly of a better version of itself?

Whatever our faults -- and they're many -- we've always maintained a sense of humour and a sense of perspective. As we enter the New Year, we will have to work hard to maintain both.

Happy New Year to all. 

Image: bulp.tk