The War Room

DOSSIER # 12: IF I WERE CONSERVATIVE LEADER

I would deliver the following speech.

Fellow Canadians thank you.

Thank you for making this country what it is. My home, my heart, my soul.
Canada is many things to many people.

It is home to those who have lived here for generations, working the land and remembering her proud traditions and history, so that others can use the wisdom of the past to gain insight into the future.

It is home to those that come from far and away lands looking to start a new life filled with desires and dreams.

It is home to a multitude of faiths and religions. All of which, while different, believe that ultimate freedom, endowed by God, our creator will give us the insight and independence to fight…

…for what we believe in.

What we believe in is our family, our friends, our work and our future. A future united in anticipation and truth. Of being able to stand together, a mosaic of human beings united together under one flag, as Canadians.

And yet, we are at a crossroads. For not everyone shares this common dream for Canada.
There also stands today another competing vision for this nation.

A Canada where citizens are divided and categorized by their race, gender and sexual orientation and then pitted against each other.

A Canada where freedom comes not from God, but from the courts and attorneys that interpret the laws of this land.

A Canada where the freedom to worship as you please is not acceptable unless you acquiesce your beliefs to those with whom you do not agree.

A Canada which believes that freedom of expression does not mean freedom to dissent and separation of church and state means the subjugation of the church by the state.

A Canada where traditional families are seen as archaic institutions filled with second class citizens who are only holding the country back.

A Canada which only takes from the planet but gives nothing back in return.

I do not believe in this vision of Canada.

I see a Canada where people are allowed to speak their will, always with respect to others, even if it disagrees with the government or any other higher institution.

I see a Canada where traditional families are seen as the backbone of this great nation. Where parents rise in the morning to work for the betterment of their family’s future and children eager to learn are filled with the hopes and dreams of our potential.

I see a Canada where all Canadians are free to worship their God as they see fit without fear of ridicule, persecution or condemnation.

I see a Canada where the traditions and customs of the past are used to gain wisdom and enlightenment into the future. Never so much as to hold us back, but always with the benefit and wisdom of our grandparents who went before us.

I see a Canada where people from all four corners of the world are welcome. Welcome to bring their cultures and traditions and be a part of this rich cultural tapestry…not just live under it.

I see a Canada where children learn the value of independence and where they learn the value of an education that teaches them how to think, not what to think.

I see a Canada which values the opinions of all, but the will of the many. Where truth is a virtue and right and wrong are values to know the difference from. Not merely relativist terms which put the needs of the few ahead of the needs of the many.

I see a Canada where all are free to own and pursue their dreams as they see fit, away from interference of an imposing government.

I see a Canada which respects its land and the rights of people who own property on it. And also respects its native peoples who were here long before we were.

I see a Canada that earns its place in the world. Always leading…always responding, always caring.

Canada has accomplished a great many things in her past. From those Canadians who fought for freedom in Europe, three generations ago to those who allowed the freedom of the slaves through the underground railroad. Yet these are not merely heights that we as a great nation once reached….they are heights that can and will be reached again as this proud nation dances into the new century.

I believe many of you share my vision for Canada. I look forward to experiencing it with you over the coming years.

Good night.

posted by Nicol DuMoulin @ 8:04 AM