Commentary
Many well-meaning people in our country have confused patriotism with self-congratulation. We tell ourselves that Canada is reasonable, moral, peaceful, respected, and somehow immune from hard realities shaping the world. That may feel patriotic, but in a dangerous era it is becoming a strategic liability.
Real patriotism requires self-awareness. It requires a country to understand strengths, admit weaknesses, identify adversaries, protect allies, and defend interests. Canada increasingly struggles with all five.
We send money and military assistance to Ukraine while some voices in Canada echo narratives that benefit Russia. At the same time, Canada talks about sovereignty while treating communist China as a commercial opportunity, despite Beijing’s record of economic coercion, cyber activity, foreign interference, espionage, and diaspora intimidation. In both cases, the issue is not in debate. The issue is strategic confusion….