In a nation yearning for stability, prominent commentator George Brookman delivers a powerful critique of Canada's current state of affairs, arguing that citizens are desperately seeking a return to normalcy amid escalating social tensions.
The Elusive Search for Normal
Brookman points to a simple yet profound statement from an American political commentator that resonates deeply with the Canadian experience: "Why can't politicians realize that we just keep asking for normal?" This fundamental desire for ordinary, predictable governance seems increasingly out of reach as society moves in the opposite direction.
The timing of this reflection is particularly poignant, coming just after Canadians observed ten days of ceremonies honoring those who lost their lives in war. Against this backdrop of remembrance, a recent incident in New Brunswick where a judge asked a lawyer to remove his poppy struck many as profoundly abnormal.
While technical justifications might exist for the judge's decision, Brookman emphasizes that the poppy represents the very freedoms that make courtrooms possible. Such symbolic missteps highlight how far society has strayed from shared values.
Unnecessary Controversies and Political Overreach
The commentary extends to seemingly mundane aspects of daily life that have become politicized. Brookman recalls a time when licence plates generated annual excitement about color changes rather than political statements.
Today's decision to place political slogans on provincial licence plates represents exactly the kind of unnecessary controversy that distracts from substantive issues. Why create division where none previously existed?
This pattern of manufactured conflict stands in stark contrast to Brookman's recollection of a high school protest in 1964, when construction noise prompted students to stage a walkout. The situation was resolved within minutes when a gym teacher delivered a simple ultimatum: return to class or face transfer to another school.
Systemic Failures in Education and Healthcare
The comparison to current labor disputes is stark. Why in 2025 are teachers striking for weeks and nurses threatening walkouts? Why must governments invoke extraordinary measures, like Alberta's use of the notwithstanding clause, to restore basic services?
Brookman identifies the root cause: what teachers face today is not normal. While immigration, poor planning, and budget mismanagement receive blame, the core issues remain overwhelming class sizes and insufficient support for students with special needs.
The evidence of systemic failure is everywhere: schools using gymnasiums as classrooms, hospitals treating patients in lounges and hallways, and homeless individuals sleeping on streets. These conditions represent a fundamental breakdown in the social contract.
Brookman's conclusion is unequivocal: Teachers are not wrong to demand better conditions, and nurses are not wrong to fight for reasonable working environments. The challenge lies in balancing these legitimate concerns with the reality that governments operate with finite resources.
The path forward requires setting aside ideological debates and focusing on restoring normal standards. Solutions must be found through practical compromise and shared commitment to functional public services.
As Brookman ultimately concludes, the solution isn't magical—it's about recognizing that Canadians across the country are united in their desperation for normal.
