PelhamToday received the following letter to the editor regarding columnist James Culic's opinion last week that local councils should not spend time playing the national anthem before meetings:
While I’m not a chest-thumping nationalist, I disagree with James Culic on whether councils should sing the national anthem. Of course it’s his right as a Canadian to express his opinion, doubly so as a columnist.
In my opinion, there seems to be in many people’s minds (especially some provincial governments) a loss of memory as to why they and we became ‘united’ as a nation. I believe this union was based on a sense of sharing the enormous resources that this country has as well as a standard of human values and beliefs that we tout as being “Canadian”.
When there is a distasteful situation or behaviour it’s often described as being un-Canadian, whether in a sports event or some other context where a certain undefined ‘standard’ of behaviour is expected. Which reverts back to a longstanding question of the 1960s, namely whether or not there was an actual Canadian identity. In response, a new Canadian flag was designed, and some provinces such as Ontario even developed a provincial song - “Give Us a Place to Stand”. The prevalent Union Jack with the provincial three-leaf shield was eliminated and more emphasis put on the maple leaf identifying Ontario, e.g., licence plates. With Pierre Trudeau, we rejected our colony status and strived to be more worldly. We hosted World Fairs like Expo ’67, reinforcing our sense of national pride and identity.
The great liberalization of the last decade and the blessing of not being directly involved in another world war has dulled the sense of national pride and identity for many. The Olympics is only one venue in which we identify as a nation.
We, along with our giant neighbour, are in troubling times
I’m sure that a lecture on Canadian history isn't necessary, so I’ll leave it at that. The rate of immigration has changed this country forever—we are a nation of nations and there are so many groups demanding inclusion that it’s important to hold on to some traditions (our roots) else we become a country truly without an identity. There are also many who would rewrite history.
In closing, two points. I am 81 years old and part of a generation blessed to have reaped the benefits of this country’s forefathers’ service in WWII, which kept this a free and democratic nation—as Canadians.
Secondly, change is constant, and we, along with our giant neighbour, are in troubling times. As a country and as individuals, we’ve become extremely selfish and greedy.
Taking a cue from James' envelope math and with all due respect, his readers and myself have ‘spent’ (he referred to it as wasted time by council) thousands of minutes, adding up to considerable hours, reading his columns.
The intent of opinion pieces is to provoke thought and response. Well, James has been successful in that respect. However, I found his comment as to the singing of “O’ Canada” being a waste of time to be a direct reflection of a generation who, unfortunately, thrives on instant gratification.
With a nod to just getting on with it: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
Allan Baker
Oro-Medonte Township
