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I am acutely aware that tonight many (if not the majority) of Canadians will be watching the results of the U.S. election with extreme interest. I will, not surprisingly, be among them. {THREAD}
But let’s not forget that at the end of the day the United States is its own country with its own unique history and challenges, that while similar, are by no means identical to ours here in Canada.
And while we might not have any say or influence about who occupies the White House, we DO have the power to choose the leaders (federal, provincial and municipal) that have the greatest impact on our daily lives.
Now, you may have noticed I go out of my way to avoid discussing U.S. politics. That is by design. There are hundreds of commentators focused on discussing our neighbours to the South, but comparatively few committed to raising awareness about issues in our own backyard.
I do worry, at times, that our media’s negligence (and Hollywood’s persuasiveness) is slowly leading us down the road of becoming a virtual cultural “colony” of the United States (something Canada’s earliest Prime Ministers also worried about).
So, by all means, indulge yourself in tonight’s drama; in the great season finale, of the greatest reality show on planet Earth - but also remember, whatever happens, when you wake up tomorrow morning you are a Canadian first.
Entrusted, as a citizen of our democracy, with the governance and oversight of our own, sovereign country, and thus a responsibility to stay informed and engaged in the political process here at home. - {END}
