June 23, 2010

When the House of Commons is in session, the political arena has a way of dominating our impression of this country.  It doesn’t always paint the most positive picture nor does it reflect what people like you and I are thinking.

For this reason, I am relieved to be back and working in the riding for the summer.  It gives me a chance to reconnect with the constituency and get a good idea of where you really stand on matters affecting this great country of ours.

That’s why, on top of the many events and meetings that I’ll attend in the riding this summer, I plan on dropping into a few neighbourhoods to knock on doors and get your feedback on what’s important to you.  Good or bad, I want to hear what you have to say.

As we head into our Canada Day celebrations (check out my website for a full listing of events in Kelowna-Lake Country at www.cannan.ca), it is the right time to focus on what’s good and positive about living in Canada.

First, the inflation rate is down and jobs are up. 

In the report, entitled Canada’s Global Economic Leadership: A Report to Canadians, issued by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty this week, the numbers show that Canada is far advanced on the key priorities facing G-20 leaders, including fiscal consolidation, trade liberalization and financial sector reform.

As Minister Flaherty noted, ““Continuing to emerge from the global recession, Canada showed the strongest economic growth in 10 years in the first quarter.  Our Government has responded to the recession with the right policies to stimulate the economy and create jobs. We have lowered taxes, invested in infrastructure and training, and boosted support for workers and families.”

That’s good news in tough economic times like these.

As for our place in the world, the fourth annual Global Peace Index issued by the respected British-based Institute for Economics and Peace lists Canada under "lessons learned from the world's most peaceful countries stating:

 "Canada has created a high level of peacefulness through focusing on the following broad themes:

• It is a non-nuclear weapon state and member of the NPT
• It promotes sustainable development and human security with an endogenous culture of peace
• It is a leading nation in the protection of human rights
• Canada actively pursues global cooperation and multilateralism, as well as peacekeeping."

Canada doesn’t rate first in the Global Peace Index but that is to be expected when you consider that Canada is more than carrying its share as a member of NATO in the Afghanistan conflict. 

Nevertheless, Canada ranks a respectable 14th out of 149 countries and is considered more "peaceful" than some of the other well-respected nations in the world including Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia.

We’d rank even higher, I suspect, if the Index took into consideration other things like our prominent position in calling for sanctions against Iran, our recent efforts to proactively find a peaceful solution to potential disputes in the Arctic or the fact that Canada is using the G8 to focus on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and on building the capacities of vulnerable states and regions to address peace and security. 

All this to say, don’t let the naysayers bring you down.    I think we can be justifiably proud of what we are accomplishing as a nation and should applaud the balanced, peaceful and sustainable approach we take in dealing with both our domestic and international affairs.  We have good reason to be hopeful and confident about our future.

Way to go Canada and Happy Birthday, eh.