Many countries with far less land and far fewer people play a huge role in the world. There’s no reason Canada can’t do the same.
Israel has a population of about 10 million people.
Ukraine has a population of about 37 million people (reduced due to the loss of territory and those who have left as refugees because of Putin’s invasion).
Taiwan has a population of about 23 million people.
And yet, throughout its history, Israel has managed to stand up to far more populous countries like Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, winning multiple defensive wars and not only surviving, but thriving as an innovative, prosperous, and free nation.
At this very moment, Ukraine is fighting back against fascist Russia, a nation of over 140 million people with the largest landmass on Earth. What was supposed to be a ‘3-day special military operation’ has turned into a grinding war of attrition, as the Ukrainian People give the entire world a lesson in what it really means to stand up for freedom and independence.
Taiwan is a prosperous, free nation that holds tremendous influence in the global economy through its dominance of high-end semiconductor production. Every day, Taiwan disproves the arrogant and false attitude of the Chinese Communist Party which claims ‘Western Democracy’ is incompatible with the Chinese People. With a per capita GDP of about $35,000 compared to China’s per capita GDP of around $13,000, Taiwan proves that a strong civil society, democratic institutions, and free markets are quite compatible with the Chinese People.
Why do I mention these three nations?
Because they all go to prove that whether a nation is ‘small’ or not is much more about the mindset of that country, rather than the population.
Many countries with far larger populations than Ukraine would have immediately surrendered to Russia.
Many countries with far larger landmasses than Israel do almost nothing with their vast territory.
And countless countries with a far better geopolitical position and far more people fail to innovate the way Taiwan has.
Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan don’t think of themselves as small countries. They think of themselves as great nations, and thus they make a great and positive impact on the world.
They refuse to be bullied or intimidated by larger countries, and – through a show of determination and strength – they win the respect of their friends and adversaries alike.
There is a lesson here for Canadians.
At a time when the incoming U.S. President is seeking to bully Canada through tariff threats and disgraceful remarks about Canada becoming a U.S. State, some Canadians are reacting by seeking to roll over for the U.S. In doing so, many claim that Canada is a ‘small’ country and that we can’t do anything to stand up for ourselves.
But this represents accepting defeat before any negotiating battle has even taken place. It’s unilateral surrender. It’s losing in the mind before losing in reality.
And there is no reason for Canadians to think this way.
As noted by Harrison Faulkner on Twitter (who I do not always agree with but do in this context), Canada can choose to respond with strength:
“Disagree with Danielle Smith here. This is a negotiation. This isn’t really about our border or drugs for Trump, this is about forcing political outcomes in Canada that are favourable to the incoming U.S. administration and setting the stage for an even worse trade deal for Canadians.
Canada needs to come to the table with our own response to make it clear that as a country we cannot be treated like this because millions of American consumers rely so heavily on Canada for everyday essentials. Ford has been measured and has refused to grovel at the feet of the president-elect unlike the Prime Minister and other premiers. It should be obvious that the president-elect respects strength and humiliates those who he sees as weak.”
Canada is a nation of over 40 million people. We have a larger population than Taiwan and Israel combined. We have one of the largest economies on Earth. We have the second-largest landmass on Earth. We are part of the world’s greatest defensive alliance (NATO). We are filled with talent from across the world. We are one of the most technologically advanced countries on the planet. We have nearly every natural resource the world needs.
In no way does it make sense for Canada to consider ourselves a ‘small nation.’
In fact, many of our biggest problems are related to accepting this false framing of who we are as Canadians.
Despite our current challenges, Canadians have built a nation we should be proud of. We are still a democracy, meaning we can (and according to all the polls are about to) change our government peacefully and get back to common-sense policies that will unleash our true potential.
We don’t need to become part of another nation, nor do we need to drown ourselves in guilt. We should remember that Canada has long chosen to stand up for freedom at home and around the world. We have had moments of significant military strength. We have been a beacon of hope and opportunity. We have built our country on a foundation of individual freedom, the rule of law, democracy, and free exchange, values passed down through our connections to the United Kingdom, and the deep foundation of Western Civilization.
It is time for Canada to step up and act like a big country, the kind of country we can and should be. That starts with doing two things right now:
First, making it clear to the United States that as much as we value our alliance, our shared values, and our shared history of fighting side by side against tyranny, that doesn’t mean we will simply roll over when a U.S. President tries to bully our nation. If we get hit with tariffs, we will hit back with tariffs, even though we would prefer to deepen our trading relationship with the U.S. so both countries can prosper.
Second, begin a large-scale military build-up, to ensure that we can defend all of our vast territory, contribute to our alliances, and deal with hostile nations like China and Russia from a position of strength, rather than a position of weakness.
There is no reason that a wealthy and vast nation of 40 million people can’t do this. All that we need is to shift our mindset of Canadians, stop thinking of ourselves as a small nation and realize that Canada can be and should be a big and influential player on the world stage.
Spencer Fernando
