Are we Canadians becoming a touch morally smug?

Just recently, I have returned from a week long visit to the USA. I was attending a professional association’s (SEAC) AGM & Conference at Villanova University which is in the greater Philadelphia region. It was a very good conference including vibrant presentations and interesting keynote speakers, all focusing on the challenges of Ethics, Immigration and the way we treat each other. And it got me thinking.

Numerous of my Canadian friends and colleagues have been quite focal in their adamant refusal to travel to the USA, primarily because of their deep annoyance (using a genteel word here, for the moment) with the person occupying the Oval Office. While I respect their right to hold whatever positions they wish regarding travel and/or the leadership of other countries, while at the conference I came to the realization that perhaps I should be changing my travel patterns.

Not however about visiting the USA, but visiting Ontario. Using the gist of the arguments the above-noted individuals have given me, it seems that if I have a strong issue with a political leader I should demonstrate my disgust or annoyance by staying away from his/her domain. The current Premier of Ontario has made a number of action decisions that really upset me and some even cause me to wonder about his sanity. Front & centre in all this is his decision to build a new super highway right through the middle of some of this country’s best food growing lands (especially in a time of growing food insecurity). Secondly he is doing his best to decimate and undermine the many Conservation Authorities throughout the province (in a time when environmental preservation is essential if we are going to give our grandkids any kind of a decent world). Thirdly (and this is somewhat personal as he is impacting a sibling’s primary mode of transport), he is strongly against bike lanes and in favour of more access to the streets for autos (seemingly unaware of the importance of reducing auto pollution). What is this guy thinking? Moreover, what are the people of Ontario thinking continually re-electing him as Premier? It is almost beyond comprehension!!

Fortunately for me and for those Ontarians that I do business with, I do not blame the people for the insanity of their leader (whether they voted for him or not). So I continue to visit the province. Moreover, I was validated in my decision albeit obliquely by my latest visit to the USA. Almost everywhere I went, when people discovered I was from Canada they were genuinely welcoming, and so happy that I still would visit them (some even expressed deep regret that we all had to put up with the bizarre behaviour of their POTUS). But there are a couple of instances in particular that suggest our attitudes towards Americans may somewhat indicate a degree of moral smugness.

While waiting to enter the magnificent operate house – The Met – to watch a live performance and eating a wee meal beforehand, we wanted a picture of ourselves in front of the building. So ST simply asked a passerby if she would mind. The person immediately agreed, and while setting up the shot, asked rom where we came. We said B.C.; she responded that she had a guitar hand-crafted in Canada. Sensing she was a musician I asked if she knew Connie Koldor (a friend of ST). Turns out they share the same agent (who would have imagined). She then reached in her bag, gave us a CD and her card. After a few more moments of laughter, we went our separate ways. Later that evening, while at the main Amtrak Station we had another incident of genuine friendliness and welcoming. On Saturday while at the monument to Rocky Balboa, again we experienced heart-warming moments. And at the Philadelphia Symphony concert that evening, the volunteer for our part of the balcony not only was willing to take our picture but spent extra time giving us additional historical information to help us fully appreciate the evolution of both the orchestra and the amazing concert hall.

Of course the conference itself was great, but even there one of the banquet staff, on discovering I was staying in the city centre, then spelled out where we should go for an evening meal. Would never have found it on our own, because it was down some neat little side-streets that contained small, townhouse walk-ups and only room for one lane of cars. And while ST did her site-seeing, she too had numerous moments of kindness and open thanksgiving for her visit.

Let us not confuse a people with their elected leader(s). Let us not think that we are superior to others who have chosen (or had chosen for them by other blocks of voters) somewhat unfathomable leadership when our leaders also are doing things that a vast number of citizens find themselves in opposition. I am not suggesting you immediately travel to the USA; but don’t lower yourself to making the excuse that the people must be bad because their leader offends you. I get offended by many political leaders, and not just in Ontario, but I don’t hold it against the people (even those who may have voted in favour of those leaders). Don’t be moral smug!

In reflection,
g.w.