Quebec nationalism is today a condition sine qua non for anyone aspiring to power one day. It is almost a state religion. It is obviously honorable to place Quebec and our nation above everything else, to want to defend its interests and respect its difference, but it should not be a contest of who loves Quebec the most.
Often, federalists are criticized for choosing between Quebec and Canada. We doubt their Quebec nationalism because of their Canadian patriotism. As if one were contradictory to the other. However, we can love Quebec and Canada with the same force. We can declare ourselves proud Quebecers and proud Canadians in the same sentence, with the same breath.
Canada is neither Justin Trudeau and his government, nor Stephen Harper and his. Canada is greater than anyone they have ruled it. It is the country of peace, tolerance and respect. A country cannot and should not be judged by the quality of the decisions of those who govern it. It must be appreciated for its people, its history, the values it advocates, here as elsewhere.
We are lucky to belong to two nations: Quebec and Canadian. They are different, of course, but they are not strangers to each other, no matter what we try to make believe. We are blessed by the gods to be able to be part of democratic, open peoples, rich in their culture and above all, respected. Nations that have a history but above all a promising and radiant future. Need we remind you that Canada, including Quebec, is young compared to other countries?
Canada Day will be in a few days. Now is not the time to put the country, its leaders or its history on trial. This is not the time for those who hate the idea of a united and prosperous Canada to spit their venom on the confirmed choice of a majority of Quebecers. Rather, it’s time to think about what we could collectively do to make it better. Because Canada is above all us. Let’s not be intimidated or embarrassed to express our affection and patriotism.
Happy Canada Day everyone.