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 Marley Bowen/Lauren Lehman

My personal hope for Canada in the next 25 years is to see human rights advance across the country. It is my personal belief that LGBT and racial discrimination has to be addressed in order for our country to truly prosper. Although there has been considerable advancements made on these issues in urban centres, this progress has not been felt evenly across the county and discrimination still remains a key issue in many small towns in Canada. I envision a Canada where everyone can feel equal with more compassion and understanding for their fellow Canadians.
In order to achieve this vision I think the most important thing we can do is to focus on education. Everything is a product of education and giving kids the knowledge of LGBTQ+ rights and issues from an early age is a powerful way to fight discrimination. I think it is important to understand that education can change entire generations and impact human rights for decades.

Not only do we need education regarding LGBTQ+ issues in our school but we need it in our communities and the workplace as well. Education is a lifelong process and shouldn’t stop once we leave school. It is important that even as adults we continue to improve ourselves and understand that our prejudice is often rooted in ignorance and in order to remove this ignorance we must be informed and educated.

I hope that in the next 25 years, LGBTQ+ individuals will be able to feel more like they are a part of things, a part of society, and a part of Canada. Although we still have challenges to overcome, I think Canada especially in comparison to a lot of other countries have made things more open and acceptable for the LGBTQ+ community. For example, gender neutral washrooms are becoming more accepted and this is an important step forward. However, there is still a stigma for many individuals in the LGBTQ+ community about having to come out and many are still uncomfortable in public places where they cannot share their sexual orientation or gender identity openly out of fear. It is these kinds of feelings of fear and isolation that I hope will be erased in the future.

Across the globe I think in 25 years Canada will be a leader when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. The work Justin Trudeau has been doing has helped to remove some of the stigma and discrimination facing the LGBTQ+ community within Canada. Worldwide there are still many countries where individuals in the LGBTQ+ community cannot be themselves and face discrimination and hate every day. However, I don’t believe these countries that repress LGBTQ+ rights will ever have influence over Canada on these matters. Rather I believe Canada will continue to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and be a positive role model on the world stage.

With that being said, I think I hope for what most people hope for looking ahead to the next 25 years in Canada. I want to see healthier communities where more people bike to work and where there are less cars on the road. I want to see higher wages for low income families and I hope the wage gap can be lowered. I would like to see less people on the streets and more intensive rehabilitation programs for the homeless. Although this is a lot to accomplish in 25 years, I think it is a goal we should strive for nonetheless.

Going forward in the next 25 years, I have a positive outlook on the future of Canada and on the future of LGBTQ+ rights. When you look back 25 years with all the progress that has been made it is hard not to be optimistic. We have come so far and although the work is not yet done, I think the next 25 years will bring us closer to Canada we hope for than ever before.

Marley Bowen is the Vice Executive President of Get Real, an organization that strives to increase education regarding LGBTQ+ issues and promote acceptance. She was interviewed by Lauren Lehman, a Pearson Centre intern who is pursuing studies at the U. of Ottawa

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