PeaceQuest readers growing concerned about Canada's future
PeaceQuest readers growing concerned about Canada's future
Read the comments written by PeaceQuest readers
The mood of PeaceQuest readers turned distinctly sour this month. In October, readers were evenly divided over whether Canada was on the right track, or on the wrong track. But our Peace Poll conducted last weekend tells a different story.
Most people answered that they felt Canada was on the wrong track, outpacing those who felt more positive about the nation’s direction by a margin of 3:1. More people participated in November’s poll than in October.
Reading through the comments posted by participants, the COVID-19 pandemic is high on peoples’ minds, especially as the second wave of the pandemic deepens and we move into the late fall and winter.
We will ask readers the same question at the end of the year as we continue our monthly Peace Poll tracking.
Overall, do you think Canada is on the right track, or the wrong track?
Wrong track - Peace and justice, not pipelines and greed!!!
Unsure - In certain ways we are doing it right and another ways we are not.
Right track - The Liberals need to Fix what the conservatives did to CPP + OAS. Anyone who has worked and paid taxes deserves to retire with dignity at the very least.
Wrong track - The Canadian government trades on our supposed reputation for peacekeeping while doing nothing to actually achieve peace.
Right track - "Overall Yes!, but I think there should be more national - rather than Provincial policy re the Corona-19 virus.
Wrong track - Canada maintains a policy that makes it nothing more than a satellite of American Empire as we continue to support American nuclear policy by refusing to sign the international treaty banning nuclear weapons. The Lima group which seeks to overthrow the government of Venezuela is Canadian sponsored again abetting Washington's agenda. Canada gives unswerving support to Israel in its occupation and brutal oppression of Palestinians. Canada refuses to condemn Israel for its latest illegal assassination of an Iranian scientist which is a dangerous provocation. Canada continues during a global pandemic to pursue the purchase of F35 fighter jets offensive weapons at a cost of $19 billion money which could be used for a Green New Deal. Canada continues to support a fossil fuel industry that within the next decade may see life on earth drastically altered impacting especially the world's poorest and most vulnerable including animal and plant species. Canada also continues to export weapons and surveillance technology to violent human rights abuses such as Saudi Arabia. Makes me ashamed to be Canadian!
Wrong track - We will know more about the intentions of the government after January 20.
It is unfortunate that other issues - Nuclear War, and Climate Change are not given equal prominence."
Wrong track - The Canadian government must end its subsidies of the oil and gas industry and stop spending billions on pipelines we don't need. Canada must also stop selling arms to countries, especially such as Saudi Arabia which is using weapons to continue the war in Yemen, where millions of people are suffering. Instead, Canada must focus on a green economy that puts the environment and First Nations at the forefront. It is outrageous that we live in a country where many First Nations don't have clean drinking water - some have lived under a boil water advisory for over 25 years!
Unsure - The real decisions are yet to come and I am unsure but leaning to the wrong direction as the real "right" track is leaning "left" and the path we need to follow is up the middle joined by nation groups like the EU, the British Commonwealth of Nations and Democratic Nations around the world.
Wrong track - Needs to be a national policy, complete shut downs in selected areas, compulsory mask wearing indoors, and generally placing public health above the economy.
Unsure - You have to tell me what track Canada is on first? mostly we are simply an appendage to whatever the US blunders into. I guess that might be a track but if so it's an unconscious one. One day some time in the future Canada will decide for ourselves what our track will be.
Wrong track - We should be following in the footsteps of countries that have done well in limiting Covid numbers and it should be consistent across the country. And small businesses and restaurants should be supported way more. What is the excuse for letting big box stores stay open? We all know. Government catering to big business. Shame!!
Right track - Right track for the pandemic, but our foreign policy seems to fit lock step with the US. For example what are we doing claiming Juan Guido is the legitimate president of Venezuela.
Unsure - This is a chance to build back greener. We should invest in measures that provide economic security and help tackle the climate crisis.
Wrong track - Once a proud Canadian I am today embarrassed by our foreign policies. Leave NATO and LIMA, bring all troops home, stand with Palestine and rescind all funding to Ukraine.
Wrong track - Words, not action, on environment, disarmament, indigenous rights. Not even words on arms trade, ban of nuclear weapons, Palestine.
Wrong track - We should have had nationwide standards for dealing with the pandemic, truly commit to a green recovery and , while giving more funds to provinces, required them not to claw back CERB from social assistance recipients as Saskatchewan is doing and not to spend it on the extractive industries.
Unsure - Would like to see more consistency between federal and provincial messaging and rules.
While acknowledging that different regions have different problems. I am concerned about politically motivated bickering during this second wave.
We need to assure that disarmament measures and climate factors are not ignored during the pandemic. I would not want to be a politician these days! They have heavy loads."
Wrong track - Our politicians need to get away from party politics and start working together for the good our country and everything that lives on it, including people and the environment and the land.
Unsure - I think that the government is doing a good job of handling the pandemic at this point. They are speaking positively of a Just Recovery as we come out of this time of pandemic. But I wonder how much they will actually accomplish.
Right track - Could go a lot further in encouraging buy-in to mask wearing or even mandating it nationwide, at least leading up to Xmas.
Right track - I believe we have learned a little more about caring during the pandemic but there is still so much to do. It is essential that all of our institutions review their policies to eradicate systemic racism and all of the negative isms...eg ageism. Exclusionism , and so many more.....
Wrong track - "Until the federal government makes drastic changes in many policy areas, I will assign this designation. Almost every time an international issue arises, Canadian politicians take orders from the U S administration, complying with it’s agenda. For a very small number of Canadian neo-cons whose very existence depends on making a profit, this works. For the rest of us, it is shameful!
Then there are the internal justice and peace issues, many centring around indigenous rights, and others concerning extraction industries. As I live in Burnaby, B. C., I am very familiar with the “TMX” pipeline, as well as Site C, and both are proving to be unsustainable.
The Canadian federal government CAN DO BETTER!!"
Wrong track - Presently the war on Covid is not being stopped fast enough to close our borders up again, close the schools, and help small businesses in Ontario at least have a chance to make it out without losing everything they have!! We also need to increase incomes for the Seniors and Disabled persons!! We need to be able to live our lives properly!! Please build some low income housing not all the expensive ones Please!!!!!
Wrong track - On foreign policy I don't recognize Canada under Trudeau, Freeland & Champagne! They supported the coup in Ukraine, tried to overthrow the democratically elected government of Venezuela, they vote in favour of Israel but not the Palestinians, they sell arms to Saudi Arabia that end up in Yemen, they are not speaking to Russia or China, the Blue Helmets have all but disappeared and they follow shamelessly in the U.S. footsteps. Need ! say more!
Wrong track - We talk well on climate, peace, etc, but our walk falls far short
Unsure - On the right track, but some parts of the country slow to react, or continuing to be reactive: Federal government, and Ontario, Quebec.
Right track - The green recovery we are hoping for needs a firm foundation in new understandings that the social impact of covid have revealed. These new understandings would address sexual and racist violence and cancel outrageous military contracts ( fighter jets and warships). Money for hospitals and health care; housing, social programs....stable funding for feminist organizations can't be changing hands in the back rooms of the good old boys.
Wrong track - I came to Canada as an emigrant in 1977. It was a different Canada in a different world but it lost its compass over the years. Exporting arms and aligning with the US, keeping silent on many injustices and nuclear ban bother me immensely. I am thankful for the handful of people like you who help maintain my trust in humanity.
Unsure - "I am unsure because there are some approaches that are helpful in the present, such as the financial aid provided to everyone, that if used properly after the crisis is over would set Canada on the right track so that all would have a decent income to live in dignity and honour and decency. A Universal Basic Income would eliminate homelessness to a large degree and would go a long way to eliminating poverty and that can only do good for the people of the country and therefore the economy. The sad part is that it has been determined that $2000/month is barely enough to live on so how come those of Social Assistance and Disability are expected to live on $1500/month for pensioners and $1000/for disabled and barely subsistence for those on assistance. Rent is a lot of places is more that we get monthly. That disparity needs to be addressed. By cutting the military out of the picture there would be more than enough to fund Basic Income, free Education, full medical, pharmaceutical, dental, mental health beyond even what we enjoy in Canada already and so much more. So, I am unsure if Canada is on the right track because the financial help provided at this time is great but will it continue or disappear?
Wrong track - I have trouble with Canada's foreign investments, particularly in resource extraction around the world. NATO is another concern for me since the targets always seem to be countries that have more centrally organized economies. The nuclear issue also concerns me since the assumption is that the Americans, who have most of the nuclear weapons, are somehow morally superior which I don't believe. The overall threat from these weapons is such that it should not be tolerated. In general the Canadian foreign policy is too tied to the American.
Wrong track - "Too cautious about COVID policy and deeds; wrong to be in Lima Group; wrong to back Israel apartheid; barely enough on economic recovery, infrastructure, etc. likely heading for insufficiency.
Wrong track - Canada will never be "right" until we deal with the ongoing systemic racism and cultural genocide of First Nations. Reparations and Land Back required.
Right track - However, the government is refusing to give sufficient economic stimulus packages to help the working class.
Wrong track - Usually happening behind the scenes, is our support for US aggression and sabotage of nations that do not toe the US line... Especially when dirty Canadian corporations stand to gain by the sabotage of social and sovereignty movements.
Wrong track - I'd like to see our foreign policy take stronger stands on nuclear disarmament, human rights, and on banning weapons exports to countries that ause human rights - even those that are NATO allies.
Wrong track - The government (whether liberal or conservative) tends to say what they think we want to hear, but they do as little as possible. Their collective heart isn't truly involved in dealing with the pandemic, the environment, climate change, more thorough health care, or "building back better". Their priority is pleasing their corporate masters, not their constituents. The electorate must demand more, much more!
"I presume Canada means the federal government, if so in some areas, such as responding to the COVID 19 pandemic and the climate/economic emergency, although with qualifications, yes
As regards supporting human rights and nuclear disarmament, no "
Unsure - "In my opinion,C anada must address a ""seamless garment "" of social justice concerns seeking to protect the vulnerable.
Among the issues are: poverty, homelessness, gender equality(""she-cession"", child care, sex selection abortion etc.),Indigenous issues (health, clean water, education etc.),refugees etc.-the list goes on. But clearly, the most immediate concern is Covid-19,while the overarching threat to the planet is climate change; both of these disproportionately affect the economically vulnerable.T hank you."
Wrong track - We need a department of peace to offset and counter balance the influence of the department of defence and our version of homeland security.
Unsure - I think it depends on what Province you’re in.
Unsure - I think a complete lock down countrywide is needed now as happened during the first wave. But necessary workers need excellent care and compensation during it.
Wrong track - I am confident that the govt. will do its best to support big business profits at the expense of world peace, public health, and environmental sustainability.
Right track - Though the Feds may be doing ok, there is no consistency among provinces.