Balance is key.
Canada has experienced a surge of nationalism since the start of 2025. Canadian pride has risen, as has our willingness to address long-standing interprovincial trade barriers and invest in our armed forces.
This represents a marked shift compared to much of the Trudeau era, when a focus on historical wrongs (which is important but should not supersede what Canada has gotten right) took precedence.
As Canadian nationalism rises, it continues to be shaped and debated in real-time. Partisan politics remains a key source of division over what Canadian nationalism means. And that division, if left unaddressed, risks scuttling the entrenchment of a positive and constructive form of Canadian nationalism at a moment when our country sorely needs it.
With this in mind, I believe it is essential to develop a Canadian nationalism that is healthy, positive, and strengthens the country.
Here are my thoughts on how to accomplish that:
First, Canadian nationalism must reject the extreme forms of nationalism that have often caused so much damage throughout history. Defining Canada in exclusionary terms as the domain of one race of people, one religion, or one ideology would not only be inaccurate given Canada’s history, but would turn nationalism from a potentially unifying force into a hateful force. Unlike other nations where national identity and race/religion are linked, Canada is a place where people of all backgrounds have the potential of being considered fully Canadian. That is one of our strengths, as it enables us to appeal to a wide array of people and attract talent from across the world. A successful Canadian nationalism must preserve that.
Second, a successful Canadian nationalism must acknowledge both the good and the bad of Canadian history, without slipping into hyperbole on either end. For example, dismissing Canada as nothing more than a ‘colonialist entity’ does enormous disrespect to those who built our country over generations, and denies the significant benefits that have accrued from the institutions and societal structures passed on from Britain and France. Similarly, denying Canada’s mistreatment of Indigenous Peoples does a disrespect to those who were wronged, and risks those acts being repeated in the future. Developing a culture of remembrance is important to remind ourselves that human beings are capable of great evil, even when we feel we are doing good. We should also recognize that being open to truthfully acknowledging our past is a sign of national strength, not weakness.
Third, and most importantly, given current divides, a successful Canadian nationalism must include elements of both left-wing and right-wing thinking to ensure buy-in from across the political spectrum. This will require ideological compromises from many of us, but such is the reality of living in a broad and diverse nation. Those on the right will need to make peace with the fact that a strong social safety net and universal healthcare coverage are essential markers of identity for a large portion of the country. Similarly, those on the right will need to accept that appeals to Canada’s British and French ties are essential for explaining the foundation of our rights and freedoms, core institutions, and historic alliances.
In some instances, there will be an overlap. Promoting a more powerful Canadian Armed Forces will require emphasizing both right-wing coded militaristic narratives (national power, the credible threat of the use of force against adversaries) and left-wing narratives of solidarity and defending an open, tolerant, and pluralistic nation at a time when authoritarianism threatens many social advances. Similarly, the left will need to concede some of its eco-agenda due to the need for Canada to build more pipelines and support the Western Canadian oil and gas sector (essential to maintaining national unity), while the right will need to accept that this often requires significant consultation with Indigenous Canadians.
This will not be easy. It will be simple for politicians to demagogue these issues and benefit from national division, but that will only leave our nation in a much weaker position at a time when we are already vulnerable. Responsible leadership, long-term thinking, and a willingness to compromise will all help build a Canadian nationalism that endures.
Spencer Fernando
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