A defining feature of clinical depression is the lack of hope. I know as i endured and navigated my mother’s clinical depression in psychiatric facilities, ECT , the whole shebang. That lineup at Canadian Tire is a picture of a generation completely devoid of hope. A country voluntarily inflicting a devastating psychiatric condition on its youth. The generation that should be the most vigorous and ambitious. PS: we did not leave Iran in 73 to have these barbarians move here half a century later with their dirty govt cash living in their grotesque McMansions and talking loudly with speakerphone in our cafes. “RACIST!” - yes, I AM.
Thank you for sharing this, and I'm sorry to hear about the experience with your mother. It's indeed a disgrace to witness the treatment of young Canadians, and I feel for the North Shore's patriotic Persian community, now being asked to share streets with the very reason they left. Much to fight back against.
This column alone is worth the annual subscription price of your Substack Alex. Excellent summary of the sad state of affairs of the country we live in today. This Albertan won’t be celebrating on July 1st…there’s little to celebrate.
Glenn this is very kind. Thank you. I understand that frustration, and do not begrudge that decision. Wishing you a Happy Canada Day all the same. What you do with that is your call!
Given what you have described above Alex, I've been looking for a reason to be even a tiny bit optimistic about Canada's ruling elite. The only seemingly positive news recently released from Ottawa was related to a potentially significant increase in defence spending. That jaw dropping number suggests that the formerly pacifistic putzes have seen the error of their ways and are scrambling to attain a respectful reputation as grown-ups. Then again, how will these extraordinary expenditures be financed? More debt? Increased taxes? A reduction in the size of the civil service roster? One individual seems to be responsible for this change in sentiment and his current role will end within four years. The supportive language recently uttered by NATO members may eventually prove to be nothing more than meaningless mumbling as the next several years pass.
Thank you Ted! Still all feels like meaningless mumbling, but I'm at least heartened to see some movement on projects of the non-Chinese-ferry variety, defence spending (with the high potential for a flake out), and the rescinding of the Digital Services Tax. They're not as bad as their predecessors to start, but that's little to be proud of.
Thankful for your readership and support. Happy Canada Day.
Trying to find the optimism is getting a little tricky. You managed to correlate in this one piece many examples of what is really going on in Canada today. The gaslighting and hypocrisy from both our so-called new liberal government and our fellow citizens who were so keen to “elbows up “ while ignore the reality around them is vomit making. I am talking to more and more disenchanted 20 something-year-olds. I’m over here on the BC West Coast, and most of us have it fairly good (where I live) and yet the cracks are starting to show. I love thrift shops when I’m trying to find stuff and I’m noticing more and more middle class people frequenting them in the last year or so. That’s a barometer as well of the state of people’s home life. Some of us love it and will always buy secondhand, but what I’m referring to by observation is people who are not used to it.
“Spirits Up!” I say, be that energy or the liquid kind.
Happy Canada Day folks - whatever that means any more? I’m not sure what we’re supposed to be celebrating. In my home community it is called Canada Day Reimagined and is full of indigenous/native themes.
“Permission slip patriotism “has to be my most favourite line from you yet Alex!
Sam! Thanks for this, and thank you for the email from the Bowen ferry line. Hope the traffic on island hasn't been too mad these past few days. Talking to disenchanted twentysomethings is very much part of my job, and I have the same concerns.
That Canada Day Reimagined flyer is an abomination. Even when given the social license to opt out of the self-loathing and the mania, they're choosing social hierarchy grievance points over giving normal families and kids a day off from subsidized, champagne-socialist guilt. Embarrassing, but not suprising.
Happy Canada Day to you and yours. You never needed that "permission slip"!
So sad what’s happened to our country….despite Carney’s word salad utterances
I don’t see a lot of improvement on the horizon.
Thanks for the comment, Peter. I don't disagree. Some signs of life, but this moment feels temporary. Can't be taken for granted.
Much to continue to fight for. Happy Canada Day.
A defining feature of clinical depression is the lack of hope. I know as i endured and navigated my mother’s clinical depression in psychiatric facilities, ECT , the whole shebang. That lineup at Canadian Tire is a picture of a generation completely devoid of hope. A country voluntarily inflicting a devastating psychiatric condition on its youth. The generation that should be the most vigorous and ambitious. PS: we did not leave Iran in 73 to have these barbarians move here half a century later with their dirty govt cash living in their grotesque McMansions and talking loudly with speakerphone in our cafes. “RACIST!” - yes, I AM.
Thank you for sharing this, and I'm sorry to hear about the experience with your mother. It's indeed a disgrace to witness the treatment of young Canadians, and I feel for the North Shore's patriotic Persian community, now being asked to share streets with the very reason they left. Much to fight back against.
Happy Canada Day.
Instead of fireworks, there ought to be a candlelight vigil at Queen's Park for our trampled rights, freedoms, and sovereignty.
And a bonfire with the boards they used to entomb Sir John A.?
In the pick-your-poison choice between Liberals, Carney may have the advantage over Doug Ford out of the gate...
Happy Canada Day, Paz.
This column alone is worth the annual subscription price of your Substack Alex. Excellent summary of the sad state of affairs of the country we live in today. This Albertan won’t be celebrating on July 1st…there’s little to celebrate.
Glenn this is very kind. Thank you. I understand that frustration, and do not begrudge that decision. Wishing you a Happy Canada Day all the same. What you do with that is your call!
Given what you have described above Alex, I've been looking for a reason to be even a tiny bit optimistic about Canada's ruling elite. The only seemingly positive news recently released from Ottawa was related to a potentially significant increase in defence spending. That jaw dropping number suggests that the formerly pacifistic putzes have seen the error of their ways and are scrambling to attain a respectful reputation as grown-ups. Then again, how will these extraordinary expenditures be financed? More debt? Increased taxes? A reduction in the size of the civil service roster? One individual seems to be responsible for this change in sentiment and his current role will end within four years. The supportive language recently uttered by NATO members may eventually prove to be nothing more than meaningless mumbling as the next several years pass.
Thank you Ted! Still all feels like meaningless mumbling, but I'm at least heartened to see some movement on projects of the non-Chinese-ferry variety, defence spending (with the high potential for a flake out), and the rescinding of the Digital Services Tax. They're not as bad as their predecessors to start, but that's little to be proud of.
Thankful for your readership and support. Happy Canada Day.
Hey Alex,
You've painted a sad, but true picture of the state our country. Unfortunately, nothing will change of the near term.
Keep fighting the good fight!
Cheers.
I'll keep fighting if you do, Peter! Thank you for the comment. Happy Canada Day to you and yours.
Trying to find the optimism is getting a little tricky. You managed to correlate in this one piece many examples of what is really going on in Canada today. The gaslighting and hypocrisy from both our so-called new liberal government and our fellow citizens who were so keen to “elbows up “ while ignore the reality around them is vomit making. I am talking to more and more disenchanted 20 something-year-olds. I’m over here on the BC West Coast, and most of us have it fairly good (where I live) and yet the cracks are starting to show. I love thrift shops when I’m trying to find stuff and I’m noticing more and more middle class people frequenting them in the last year or so. That’s a barometer as well of the state of people’s home life. Some of us love it and will always buy secondhand, but what I’m referring to by observation is people who are not used to it.
“Spirits Up!” I say, be that energy or the liquid kind.
Happy Canada Day folks - whatever that means any more? I’m not sure what we’re supposed to be celebrating. In my home community it is called Canada Day Reimagined and is full of indigenous/native themes.
“Permission slip patriotism “has to be my most favourite line from you yet Alex!
Sam! Thanks for this, and thank you for the email from the Bowen ferry line. Hope the traffic on island hasn't been too mad these past few days. Talking to disenchanted twentysomethings is very much part of my job, and I have the same concerns.
That Canada Day Reimagined flyer is an abomination. Even when given the social license to opt out of the self-loathing and the mania, they're choosing social hierarchy grievance points over giving normal families and kids a day off from subsidized, champagne-socialist guilt. Embarrassing, but not suprising.
Happy Canada Day to you and yours. You never needed that "permission slip"!