As we move past Canada Day celebrations - and there is a lot to celebrate in this nation - we need to take a serious look at what we can do better.
The country seems to be at a crossroads right now between the economy and the environment.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose job is undoubtedly in jeopardy this October, has tried to have it both ways and it just doesn’t work. He’s either going to let industry take a potentially huge hit or he’s going to make a more concerted effort on climate change and protecting our pristine wilderness.
Trudeau’s tried to keep everybody happy with a little of this and a little of that, but he’s got both sides mad at him to some degree. He’d be better off to concentrate his efforts on one side or the other.
The bottom line is employment can still thrive without certain sectors being as prominent as in the past. That’s just part of our changing times.
Getting on board with climate change has to be a priority because Canada can be and should be a force in cleaning up the mess due to the sheer magnitude of this vast land.
People still aren’t getting the message that this matter requires more immediate and swift action. There’s no fooling around with those melting polar ice caps and the devastation that can cause - and that’s just for starters.
The effort to protect the beauty of this land cannot be underestimated. People who’ve travelled the world over many times can attest to territory within Canada - and B.C., in particular - as possessing some of the most desired and admired locations on the planet.
But, with inaction, once these lands are ruined, that’s it. There’s no turning back.
Canada’s downfall has always been the perception that someone else should be the major players - like the U.S., or China, or Russia - and we’ll just follow suit.
The Canadian governing party - whomever that will be later in the year - needs to step up to the plate and make enough gutsy decisions so everyone else will follow suit.
If we can do it in hockey, we can take the role of the most valuable players during a crucial time in the world.