The Pearson Centre for Progressive Policy

Progressive Dialogue and Policy for a Better Canada

Canada at 150 – the next 25 years

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Canada at 150 – the next 25 years

By Cherie Wong/Lauren Lehman

What do you envision for Canada in the next 25 years?

When thinking about the future, I always try to look back in time to remember what we have achieved together. As I try to envision Canada’s next 25 years, I am thinking back on our past.

I would like to start by celebrating some victories in the past 25 years. In 1993, Jean Augustine was the first Black Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She was also the first to serve in the Federal Cabinet in 2002. Also in 1993, the first (and only) female Prime Minister, Kim Campbell, was appointed. Her tenure lasted 4 months. In 2003, Ontario and British Columbia became the first two provinces to legalize same sex marriage, though Canada was actually the first country to recognize a same sex marriage (by a court case) in January 2001! For more recent successes, this past year Canada passed a trans-rights legislation that includes transgender people in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which will protect trans-folks from discrimination.

Although there have been many great accomplishments, there is also the darker side to Canadian history that we like to avoid and be silent about. For over a hundred years, Indigenous children were forcibly taken from their homes to be put into the residential school system. Needless to say, the final report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 was emotional and set a path for reconciliation in Canada. 2001 also marked the start of 13 years in Afghanistan, where over 40, 000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces took part in military operations.  From the over-representation of indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system, the ongoing climate crisis, corporations and union-interest in public policies, lack of care available for veterans, homeless LGBTQ+ youths, unaffordable essential medications, undemocratic electoral system, war on drugs… The point of this non-exhaustive list of societal issues: there are many opportunities for change in Canada.

None of these problems can be solved overnight. It will also not be easy for Canada to face the repercussions. Canada must learn to accept the faults of our past, and move forward as a country through people-focused policies. We are living in the peak of the Information Age – we know and understand more now than we ever did. The world of instant information is allowing our society to share skills, experience, and innovation easily. This is a world that has more opportunities for growth than ever;and I believe this is a time where Canada can retake the leadership position in global development, from reclaiming Canada’s reputation for peacekeeping, to climate leadership.

With some glass ceilings shattered (thanks Kim, Jean, and all the women/non-males that came before and will come after you!), I have a chance to change Canada’s future. As a queer woman of colour, it is no longer a dream for me to become a politician in Canada. The accomplishments of our predecessors established a path for a better future for us all, where individuals from marginalized groups can feel confident to step into public light as a politician. In the next 25 years, I hope to see Canada elect a Member of Parliament through a proportional electoral system. I hope to see Canada implement a fully proportional and representative electoral system, giving 100% of political power back to the voters. With representative Parliament and diversity in public policies, I envision Canada to become a truly inclusive country.

There is trauma and violence in Canada’s past, and as a nation we need to discuss Canada’s colonial history and problematic practices, even when it may leave us feeling uncomfortable. At the same time, we have to remember our goal is to step into the future. We must replace many of the remaining oppressive and discriminatory policies, and remove social barriers for minority groups. By 2042, together as a nation, I envision Canada as moving towards have moved towards a reconciliatory and healing process.

Other than the socio-political changes, Canada should be moving towards sustainable development and away from fossil fuels. As of August of this year, we have used up our quota of resources for the entire year of 2017. In the ideal future, we would not have to worry about using up all the resources mother Earth has to offer. We have one planet, and there will not be a plan B or planet B for us. Sustainable development is the only way forward; we do not live in a world that has unlimited resources! By 2042, I envision a Canada that will operate on 100% renewable energies and sustainable development practices.

Though climate change is becoming a hot topic in the environmental movement, the organisms within this ecosystem must be protected as well. The growing impact of climate change is playing a huge role in the extinction crisis globally. We are a fortunate country to be housing a variety of organisms, so Canada should be responsible for protecting to protect them from extinction. I wish to see wildlife conservations and related regulations become top priority in Canada.

I also see Canada becoming an involved peacekeeper once again; we must uphold that reputation by committing to peace and non-violence. No doubt Canada’s reputation as a peacekeeping country was heavily damaged with our past governments’ military operations and arms trades. In the next 25 years, I hope to live in a peaceful world. There are horrific things happening to people across the globe, and there are concrete things we can do to change these folks’ lives. From providing first aid supplies to changing regulations for overseas companies, we can change the Global South’s struggle for modernization. To restore our international image and leadership in peacekeeping, Canada must commit to non-violent and humanitarian interventions worldwide.

As a third culture child, I grew up identifying as a global citizen. I grew to view the world in a different light and I see a world without borders. I understood that it is our responsibility to care for each other, to care for our planet, and to share a brighter future together as humanity. With those ideals, I foresee Canada to continue to be strong. I envision Canada to move from our colonial past, despite uncomfortable and difficult moments. I envision Canada to become an active participant in the movement towards peace and acceptance, embracing all of humanity’s differences. I envision Canada to exceed our past.

Cherie Wong is a returning councillor for her second term as the Co-Chair of the Young Greens of Canada. Within the party, Cherie headed the YGC's structural reform with last year's constitutional and bylaws reform. She advocated for youth engagement and inclusive policies within and outside the party, in attempt to bridge the gap between marginalized groups and the Canadian political field. Cherie is a passionate youth that will continue to dedicate herself into Canadian politics and the Global Green movement.
She was interviewed by Lauren Lehman, a Pearson Centre intern who is pursuing her studies at the U. of Ottawa

Cherie Wong is a returning councillor for her second term as the Co-Chair of the Young Greens of Canada. Within the party, Cherie headed the YGC's structural reform with last year's constitutional and bylaws reform. She advocated for youth engagement and inclusive policies within and outside the party, in attempt to bridge the gap between marginalized groups and the Canadian political field. Cherie is a passionate youth that will continue to dedicate herself into Canadian politics and the Global Green movement.
She was interviewed by Lauren Lehman, a Pearson Centre intern who is pursuing her studies at the U. of Ottawa

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