The New Canadian Government: An Opportunity for Change

The significant presence of ethnic minorities in the Canadian Parliament, particularly their holding of several important ministerial positions, has had a wide-ranging impact in Canada. After the excitement following the Liberal victory subsided, especially after recent terrorist events, the biggest challenge facing the current government is the issue of immigrants and Canada's role in the Middle Eastern conflict. Undoubtedly, Canada's emerging society, with its diverse range of immigrants from various countries, holds a unique position among other developed nations. On one hand, the lack of long-standing traditions and historical background has created the possibility for change and adaptation of different cultures, leading to a new cultural and intellectual experience. On the other hand, the absence of a solid philosophical and intellectual framework that underpins social contracts has hindered the flow of pure and strong values within society. The lack of such values effectively prevents the development of a permanent national discourse around global and national challenges and reduces politics to short-term reactions within the framework of party interests. In the absence of a comprehensive national discourse, the constant critique and challenge of values and institutions have practically been forgotten, and the function of the intellectual class has been reduced to serving and defending traditional structures and institutions. It should be noted that Canadian society is facing several very serious challenges. The lack of innovation in the economic and intellectual fields has increasingly made the country reliant on natural resources and inherently non-innovative sectors (such as housing), while the drop in oil prices has shaken one of the pillars of the economy. Meanwhile, the accumulation of domestic and foreign capital in the housing sector has gradually created a large bubble that is at risk of bursting at any moment. On the other hand, the spread of extremism and xenophobia in the world, along with the presence of large minorities from various countries and the lack of strong prevailing values and a sustainable national discourse, has raised concerns about increasing frustration and alienation among youth, the creation of ethnic ghettos, and ultimately their entrapment in extremism. It should be noted that social cohesion and empathy require dialogue and the opportunity for diverse ideas to be presented and utilized. In other words, political, educational, and civil institutions must submit to a continuous cycle of change and structurally open their doors to new ideas, not just superficially. Furthermore, it should be noted that freedom in the execution of rituals is only a fraction of the identity of a part of society; what is often forgotten by immigrants is the questioning and re-evaluation of these rituals and the acceptance of innovation in their appearance and essence within a larger community. Social cohesion and empathy must be spiritual and intellectual, not limited to food traditions and rituals; this is a shared responsibility. Now, against this backdrop, an opportunity has arisen for Canadian society to break away from conservative thinking and embark on a new path. The success of this experience depends on the continuous and active presence of citizens and intellectuals. The presence of minorities in Parliament and even in government does not, by itself, lead to change. As long as the highly conservative structures of society do not open their doors to new thoughts, minority representatives will find themselves with no duties other than serving their parties, just like other representatives. Intellectual change requires much more courage than superficial change; on the other hand, representatives will not achieve anything without the support of civil society and the widespread and sustained discourse of innovation and change. The first step in creating change is to generate movement and motivation in society by exposing the folly and inefficiency of existing structures. In this context, it should be noted that the support of civil society is a prerequisite for accumulating the moral capital needed for innovation. The first step has been taken after the election of minority representatives to Parliament and government. Now, it remains to be seen whether these representatives have the ability and courage necessary for innovation and to present new concepts while keeping their supporting social base active, and whether civil society and intellectuals, especially minorities, have the desire for a lasting presence to form a national dialogue. Pierre Trudeau, the former Prime Minister of Canada in the 1970s and the father of the current Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, laid the cornerstone of Canada's multicultural society with exemplary courage, a project that he initiated and which remains unfinished to this day. Now his son, alongside representatives from various minorities in the country, has the opportunity to advance this project by creating an inclusive and innovation-seeking discourse.