American news channels are more exciting than network television these days. Canadians tune in daily to watch the shenanigans of the U.S. government. Announcements of unsubstantiated claims and inflation-inducing tariffs, with the most concerning thing about U.S. politics being the level of acrimony from politicians on both sides of the aisle.
It is shocking to hear the words “Democrat” and “Republican” spoken with fury and anger, and the rhetoric seems to have lost sight of the fact that they are all Americans, in positions of power, and all believing that their goal should be to improve not only their own country but the state of the world.
There does not appear to be any tolerance for opinions of the other side, and when a program such as 60 Minutes can have its host and several staff members released due to political influence, we must believe that free speech is in trouble.
For the nation branded as the leader of the free world, it is frightening to see the disregard for simple respect and polite dialogue. That must not happen in Canada. Raised in a conservative household, I remember the Pearson-Diefenbaker dialogues, and while the two may not have liked each other, there were no personal insults or verbal attacks on families. What was said in Parliament stayed in Parliament, and, in my memory, there was debate without insult.
In my role as the president of the Calgary Stampede, I had the privilege of visiting Ottawa on several occasions, and one of the people who joked with me was the late Jack Layton. He knew I was a Conservative, but that did not stop him from making humorous jabs at Calgary’s love of steak or the price of oil. This was democracy at its best, and I respected him.
The past decade, with the former prime minister and his misguided energy minister, provided plenty of fodder for upset, yet you could still watch Sunday news programs without hearing blatant insults or cutting personal attacks. I reflect on politicians such as Peter Lougheed, Jean Chrétien, Ed Broadbent and Stephen Harper, and know that each of them felt they were serving Canadians while maintaining respect for each other.
The world changes, and every generation says that same thing. Swearing seems to have become the first bastion of conversation, and walking past a high school or an LRT station will provide language that might have made a sailor blush a few years ago. There is anger in the population, fuelled by high costs of living, a growing wealth gap, frustration over a lack of housing and other issues that do not seem to find solutions despite massive expenditures and rising taxes.
However, today’s rhetoric in the United States approaches revolutionary levels, and the anger between sides will not easily be cooled or moderated. The lesson for Canadians and our politicians is civil discourse. We must respect the right of others to an opinion different from our own and allow the system to work to find the best solutions to every problem. Canadians enjoy a reputation for civility, and if we are to stick together, we must have dialogue that provides results without personal insult.
There is a lot to be upset about, but if we can engage in logical and reasonable discussions — starting with our political leaders — I believe all Canadians will benefit. The country will have the opportunity to be the best that it can be. The next few months will provide a heated and inflammatory American debate, whether on CNN or Fox News. There is a path of respect, tolerance and democracy. Hopefully, here in Canada, Canadians can find it.
George H. Brookman is the chairman and company ambassador of West Canadian Digital.
