Farewell to You All

Yesterday, I published my 100th blog post.  Today, this is my farewell message to you as I will be leaving to take up an assignment in Montréal as executive director of the combined fundraising campaign at the Université de Montréal, HEC (business school), and École Polytechnique (engineering school). I will also do some teaching in the business school and in the political science department.

Over 70% of the blogs I wrote were meant to talk about Québec and its priorities in the U.S. – offering solutions in energy options, the environment, security, promoting culture, solving border issues, working for greater commercial and economic exchanges, sharing expertise, and developing networks aimed at fostering greater cooperation. Some of the other blogs emphasized our affinities – the moments that brought us together, the values we share, the common goals we pursue. It was a great privilege to have shared these views through social media. 

As I move on, I would like to repeat how much I admire the U.S. and the American people. Your love of country is especially inspiring. I was welcomed as a neighbor and a friend, and will always cherish my time in this great land. 

New York City deserves special mention. It is said to be the financial capital of the world but it is also the cultural capital. The creativity and ingenuity here is second to none. I should add that NYC made me see first hand how immigration is a powerful force in a free society. It is so enriching to see how people coming from different lands and having their own story help build such an enviable society.  

I return with a sense that my team and I did what was expected of us, and that we were privileged to have served Québec. As a Canadian and a Quebecer, I have also come to realize how blessed we are to live on a continent where freedom, compassion, respect, and belief in the individual are the hallmarks of our common destiny.  

Farewell to you all. Au revoir.

Et je remercie de tout cœur le personnel de la Délégation générale du Québec à New York, le bureau du Québec à Washington, et le Ministère des relations internationales pour votre soutien, votre grand professionnalisme et votre grande compétence. Un merci tout particulier au Premier Ministre Jean Charest et au gouvernement du Québec pour leur confiance et leur appui constant.

Merci. Thank you. Muchas gracias.

Jobs: The Priority in 2012

What follows is my 100th and final blog post in my role as Québec’s Delegate General.

When I was appointed in September 2009, the economic recession affecting much of the developed world had statistically ended. The following two years have featured some job growth, but the economic recovery has been generally anemic when compared to more recent post-recessions.

In Canada, and specifically Québec, we have recovered more than the jobs lost in the recession. This was due largely to the fact that we had no financial meltdown and no housing bubble. The situation was far more complicated in the U.S. where job recovery from the last recession hovers around the 20% mark. Unemployment is still stubbornly high.

True, the American economy has had job growth since late 2009, and it can be argued that the Obama administration prevented a depression with consequences possibly greater than the Great Depression of the 1930s. As the country enters the next presidential cycle, it is obvious that the economy will be central, and jobs, or lack of them, will be the issue.

The situation in Canada may have been less damaging, and the Canadian prospects for 2012 rank among the highest in the G7 countries. Yet, the persistence of slow growth in the U.S. and fears of a European recession are starting to be felt northward. Unemployment has slowly edged upward in the last quarter.

With elections a possibility in Québec in 2012, it is expected that jobs will also be at the forefront of the political contest there. Whatever the electoral circumstance, however, 2012 must become the year where public policies are aimed at creating wealth, and jobs become the key element in the process.

Since 2002, Québec and New York State have met regularly to explore ways to better integrate our economic activities and build common prosperity. New York State is Québec’s number one trading partner, and it exports more to Québec than to India, Italy, and Brazil all together. We share common and secure borders, we are stable democracies, and have close, integrated economic activities. The expectation is that the next Québec-New York economic summit will be concentrated on how to create jobs in both jurisdictions that are sustainable and create wealth.

Trade, innovation, technology, energy, education, infrastructure building and renovation represent the sectors where there is the most promise for building the future. Resisting protectionist measures, making our tax structure competitive, providing investment incentives, sharing expertise, and looking to ways to propel our respective economies will be essential to the next summit and should be at the heart of the exercise to build a better future together. At the end of the day, the goal is simple: create jobs.

Nations of Immigrants

The U.S. is often characterized as a nation of immigrants. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a strong proponent of immigration reform, is often reminding Americans of the benefits and advantages of immigration. True, in the last decade, the issues of immigration reform and of how to deal with over 10 million illegal immigrants have led to divisiveness and polarization in the political spectrum. Yet, no one disputes that the successive waves of immigrants from around the world have enriched this country and made it the great nation it is today. 

This holiday season, walking the busy streets of New York makes me appreciate even more the diversity of its people and the richness they bring to the American mosaic. Immigrants of all backgrounds are so proud to live in America. It does not take long to realize why this land still is attractive to so many: possibilities,  dreams as well as freedoms like freedom of speech and freedom of religion continue to be the reasons why people come here.

My own country of Canada also has had the benefits of immigration throughout its history.  On a personal level, my father and his immediate family left Italy after WW1 and chose to immigrate to Canada. They never doubted the choice. Every segment of Canada has its own story to tell about how immigration transformed a wilderness country, and how it provided homes and opportunities to start a new life. We too can claim to be a nation of immigrants.

In recent years, Canada has benefited from a more orderly discussion of immigration because our borders have not had the influx of undocumented immigrants. Demographic realities have also led political leaders to evaluate the value of immigration. The consensus is that immigration is an economic necessity, it enriches the social and cultural fabric of communities and must be actively pursued. 

It is to be expected that there will always be a desire to protect the national identities in our respective societies. Canadians want to remain Canadians, Quebecers rightfully hold to their cultural and linguistic identity and Americans want to remain proud of their heritage. Yet, what is important is that Canada and the U.S. are countries based on ideas and ideals. They are democracies that depend on individual rights and the rule of law. 

As we get ready for 2012, we see that the world is not becoming less complex. However, the movement of people, the attraction of ideas and opportunities, and the general desire to seek a better life is what has made North America so unique. Building railways, making discoveries, improving one’s lot in life, and forging dreams for our children have made Canada and the U.S. a welcoming home to immigrants. We should keep this thought in mind as we begin the New Year.  Happy 2012!

Beyond the Normal – Premier Jean Charest’s Vision

Back in the 1960s, then-Education Minister Paul Gérin-Lajoie articulated what became known as the “Gérin-Lajoie doctrine” when he stated that Québec has a responsibility and a duty to promote its exclusive constitutional jurisdiction in international forums. It soon became conventional wisdom as well as the political and legal basis for Québec’s international presence. Successive premiers, from Jean Lesage in the 1960’s to today’s Jean Charest, have since made the province’s international profile a priority.

In the early stages, the notion of Québec’s identity dominated Québec’s international activity. Québec opened its Délégation Générale in Paris 50 years ago this year. Premier Daniel Johnson invited France’s then-President Charles de Gaulle to Montréal’s world exhibition called Expo ’67. Later, as the debate in Canada over Québec’s future in the Canadian federation dominated the political landscape domestically, there were instances where Canadian and Québec representatives would clash in international forums.

In recent years, however, Québec has generally played the economic card. Premier Robert Bourassa made a yearly pilgrimage to Davos. Premier Lucien Bouchard headed commercial missions to different parts of the world. And Jean Charest has since articulated the concept of the federated state to encourage participation and engagement in international forums involving sub-national states. In recent years, Premier Charest negotiated a labor mobility agreement with France and is rightly credited with sparking the interest that has led to the negotiations between Canada and the EU on a free trade agreement. The latter is said to be possibly on course for a treaty in the coming year. 

We have come a long way from the original doctrine, and now, under Jean Charest, we are defending and promoting Québec’s interest in areas of shared jurisdiction with Canada’s federal government – the economy, the environment, immigration and energy. This approach has required greater collaboration with Canadian representatives around the world. 

Currently, Québec has 26 offices and is a member of three international organizations (Organization of American States, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and UNESCO). The positions promoted encompass not only Québec’s exclusive jurisdiction according to the Canadian constitution but also shared jurisdictions with our federal partner. These offices were recently instrumental in promoting the Plan Nord in the U.S., Europe and Asia. 

In the U.S., this approach has led to Québec’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, the Western Climate Initiative and other forums touching on energy, the Québec-New York Summit, high speed rail, Plan Nord and immigration. The missions conducted by Québec elected officials constantly reflect this vision.  Again they are strongly backed by current Premier Charest. 

It will be up to the historians to decide if there is a Charest doctrine to add to that of the venerable Gérin-Lajoie. Yet both men, and the Premiers that have served since the 1960s, clearly adhere to a distinct international personality that aims to advance the interests of Québec. Judging by the impact of this approach, we have clearly gone beyond the normal.

“Traces” of Québec Culture

In the past two years as Delegate General, I have had the opportunity to see Québec artists come to New York City to share their art and their craft. Not all have the notoriety of Robert Lepage, Yannick Nézet-Séguin or Cirque du Soleil to grace the stages of the Lincoln Center or Radio City Music Hall. Yet, all are able to draw audiences who leave impressed and satisfied that they have been entertained.

Last Saturday, I attended the 7 Doigts de la Main (Seven Fingers) show called Traces at the Union Square Theatre. This is a more intimate form of circus arts. No large tents with high wire trapeze acts. No fancy costumes or exotic music. Just down-to-earth artistic skills, fully entertaining and very connected to the audience. What a night!

Set in an off-Broadway theatre, you get a feel unlike Cirque du Soleil productions. Actually, it is difficult to make comparisons between Traces and the usual Cirque du Soleil show. They are just different. But the entertainment value of Traces makes it a show not to be missed. Its run ends at the end of December, but it will clearly be spreading around the world in other venues.

In the weeks ahead, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) annual members’conference will hold a five-day conference in New York. It is the world’s leading forum and marketplace for the performing arts. Over 3500 members will attend with thousands of performances and showcases. Québec artists are expected to perform, including the increasingly popular "musique trad" (traditional music). Québec Cultural Minister Christine St. Pierre will be in attendance for the third time in four years.

For many American presenters, Québec’s vibrant traditional music scene is one of the best-kept musical secrets. With their intensive U.S. touring and successful participation at major folk festivals, groups like Genticorum, Le Vent du Nord, and La Bottine Souriante have proven that American audiences really appreciate the uniqueness and quality of Québec’s traditional music.

Add to this La Pieta, Les Violons du Roy and films like Curling and you get a sense that Québec artiste see no bounds to their creativity and their range as artists. New York City is the venue of choice and the U.S. remains the country of challenge. This is why spreading and promoting culture is such an important part of our mission here.

I have repeatedly said that creativity and art make for great diplomacy. Our presence on NY stages and beyond goes a long way to reinforce the links between Québec and the U.S. In other words, “Traces” at Union Square Theatre is but a small sample of what Québec intends to bring to the stages of NY and elsewhere in the U.S. in the years to come.

Talent and Making a Difference

The international personality of Québec has a lot to do with policies and vision. It is conventional wisdom in Québec that its jurisdictions under the Canadian constitution must be promoted and defended internationally by its government representatives. In recent years, successive governments have gone beyond their constitutional responsibilities to include shared responsibilities with our Canadian federal partners. Beyond policies and vision, however, Québec diplomacy is about people. 

No matter how compelling our message and our product can be, the talent that make up Québec’s diplomatic teams “in the field” make the difference. Understanding the subtleties of the host country, being persistent in promoting our positions, having a feel for what preoccupies the host country, and offering win-win perspectives to reinforce links and identify common interests represent but a part of what is expected of our representatives internationally. It takes patience, it involves innovation along with imagination, and above all, it requires people skills. 

In the past two years, I have had the honor of working with three great talents and with whom I have shared exhilarating moments in promoting Québec interests within the United States – Jean-Stéphane Bernard, Frédéric Bolduc, and Alain Olivier. All three in 2011 have obtained new assignments, and will pursue their goal of making a difference. Let me elaborate.

Jean-Stéphane Bernard, who served as Director of Québec’s Washington office until March 2011, is now Québec’s Delegate in Boston and is responsible for the New England territory on behalf of Québec. Jean-Stéphane has proven to be the quintessential diplomat. Accessible, personable, always persistent and solution-oriented, Jean-Stéphane possesses the people skills needed to advance Québec’s interests in areas considered essential to its future – energy, trade, security, the Plan Nord, links to the Northeast corridor on high speed rail, promotion of Québec culture, immigration and dialogue on common interests in education. People who know him just gravitate to him. In a short period, he has made his mark in both Washington and Boston. Already, he is making a difference.

Frédéric Bolduc has acted as Québec’s representative at the OAS, working closely with Canada’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States. In the last 9 months, he has served with success as Director of the Washington office as Jean-Stéphane went on to Boston. Just recently, he was appointed by the OAS to be the Special Representative of the OAS to Haiti. He is leaving in January to serve in Port-au-Prince, two years after the catastrophic earthquake.

Frédéric has decided to go in an area where he is most committed. He has not chosen the easy path. Courage and idealism have guided his choice. He wants to make a difference in the lives of a people who have suffered inexplicable tragedy. It is laudable that this young man, fluent in 5 languages, has chosen to serve in a part of the world so devastated by both nature and man-made events for so many decades. Just as in Washington, Frédéric is out to make a difference, and assuredly, will. 

Alain Olivier leaves New York to head up the office in Washington in January. Alain can be easily be described as the ultimate policy content person on our team. Efficient, dedicated, and thorough, in the last year he has skillfully and successfully put together a new department that included communications, government relations and educational affairs. His very presence commands respect. A lawyer, he has chosen public service and decided to be in diplomacy where he brings his careful attention to detail in the belief that public service is all about making a difference in the lives of people. Alain possesses the sure judgment and discipline to represent Québec well in America’s capital. 

Jean-Stéphane, Frédéric, and Alain represent the kind of talent and energy needed to affect change and bring about progress in the world. They may be in mid-career, but already I can tell that these three products of Québec diplomacy have promising futures, but more importantly, will continue to make a difference in the paths that they will choose.

My favorite quote remains from George Bernard Shaw, “Some people see things as they are and ask, why? I dream things that never were and ask, why not?” Jean-Stéphane, Frédéric, and Alain exemplify this kind of thinking. We can only wish them the best in their new challenges, and in their quest to make a difference. Merci, chers amis.

The Canadian Advantage

Québec’s international personality is well established and has its roots in the 19th century. In modern times, Québec’s diplomacy has stretched around the world starting with the opening of offices in New York (1940), Paris (1961) and in other cities in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Today, Québec has 26 offices worldwide and representatives in three multilateral, international organizations (UNESCO, OIF, OAS).

Since the early days of the Quiet Revolution under Premier Jean Lesage and through his successors, Québec governments have made it a duty to promote its exclusive responsibilities under the Canadian constitution. More recently, those priorities have expanded to include areas of shared jurisdiction under Canada’s constitution – border security, economics and trade, energy, the environment, culture, and immigration. 

Of course, Québec’s representatives interact with the Canadian diplomatic corps to advance common interests. They often act as complement or catalyst in order to advance mutual goals – Canada-EU free trade negotiations are a recent example.

My role as Delegate General has led me to work closely with my colleagues at the Canadian embassy in Washington and at the consulates within the Mid-Atlantic area. The experience has been highly positive and leads me to add the term “value-added” to our collaborations. 

Canada’s current Ambassador to the U.S., Gary Doer, is a good illustration. A former Premier of Manitoba, Ambassador Doer never fails to mention Québec hydro power as part of Canada's energy mix to supplement U.S. energy needs. He has also been an ally on issues such as ballast water standards in the Great Lakes and trade issues like Buy America clauses. Beyond D.C., Consuls General John Prato (New York), David Marshall (Philadelphia) and Marta Moszczenska (Buffalo) complement the Ambassador’s efforts on trade, investment, and border issues.

Canada and the U.S. share a unique relationship. President Kennedy, on a visit to Ottawa in 1961, said that “geography has made us neighbors, necessity has made us allies, economics has made us partners, and history has made us friends.” We have the largest commercial partnership in the world, share the most important free trade agreement in the world with Mexico and are a model to the world on how two nations can be partners and friends. Finally, Québec’s representatives working closely with our Canadian partners make the Canadian connection a value-added advantage, beneficial to all involved.

Religion in Electoral Politics

Published at Americas Quarterly on December 12, 2011

From colonial times to the unfolding of democracy, the role of religion remained an important ingredient in how the U.S. and Canada chose to be governed and how the citizenry wanted its faith reflected in society. It is interesting to see how this has evolved in modern times.

In my home country of Canada, the original constitution—the British North America Act of 1867—had provisions related to religion and education. It was not until the late 1990s that a constitutional amendment eliminated the organization of Québec’s schools from kindergarten to high school along religious school boards. Yet, while religion played a part throughout Canadian history and politics in different ways and periods, no one expects religion to play much of a role in today’s electoral politics. Can the same be said about U.S. politics?

Here, in the U.S., there was an explicit amendment in the early stages of nationhood for the separation of church and state. Still, much to the bewilderment of observers north of the border, religion and a candidate’s religious beliefs are very much a part of the political discourse. It is conventional wisdom and standard practice to expect a presidential candidate to be questioned about his faith in the course of a campaign. In 2008, Barack Obama and John McCain actually had a debate just on faith and values. Lest no one forget that John F. Kennedy’s Catholicism was an issue back in 1960.

Issues such as abortion and gay rights continue to be hot-button, politically sensitive debates in the United States. Church groups weigh in heavily in these issues—while in Canada, they have generally been settled through legislation, court challenges and changing attitudes. Social conservative values are relatively marginal on the political radar screen when it comes to political choices in Canada. They do not enter the dynamics of election campaigns in any significant way. Not so in the U.S., and especially in a Republican presidential primary.

In this cycle, Mitt Romney’s religious affiliation, Newt Gingrich’s past personal conduct, and the faith affirmation campaigns of Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry go a long way in affecting the mood in the GOP race. But will a person’s faith or past personal conduct be a factor in the choice of a President in 2012?

This being said, religion or the expression of religious faith may be part of just about every presidential campaign. But it is not the deciding factor at the end of the day. True, it can condition a voter’s view of a person’s character. But it is usually issues, circumstance and temperament that carry the day—even in the more religious climate of the United States. President Obama’s roots and religion were very much a factor in the last presidential election with the Reverend Jeremiah Wright controversy. Yet, it did not prevent his rise to the highest office. His re-election will also not depend on his religious fervor or lack of it, nor will it be a factor against whom the Republicans choose.

This should be good news for both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. Their success in the GOP primaries may very well depend on how the religious right perceives them. That all changes in the general election—where the focus generally shifts to political solutions and whether a candidate has the temperament to be president. Independents and the broad political mainstream do not consider religion as the determining factor in electoral politics. Even Ronald Reagan, who mobilized the religious right, was able to keep his distance. This is how America got George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy to lead the nation.

The Simple Plan Model- Creativity and Engagement

During my stay in New York, I have had the honour of working with, or featuring some of Quebec’s most creative artists.  Cultural icons like Cirque du Soleil, Robert Lepage, Kent Nagano, Yannick Nezet Séguin, and Les Violons du Roy, among others, come to mind as recent expressions of Quebec’s artistic creativity on the New York scene.  They are also among the best ambassadors of Quebec. 

Recently, a different group of artists called Simple Plan, a Quebec-based pop punk group, performed at the Best Buy Theatre in Times Square.  Let me tell you the story of their last visit to New York.

Simple Plan is a Montreal pop punk  group created in 1999 and currently performing on stages across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.  You would think pop punk  is not my preferred style of music.  To some extent, you would be right, but after attending their concert in New York, I realized that music has no definitive age segment.  I actually had a good time and thoroughly enjoyed the show.  Listening to them on stage and seeing the reaction of the audience made me appreciate why this group is now in its second decade of performing. 

Granted, the music was loud, the energy a bit too contagious, and the response somewhat delirious.  This was not a Tony Bennett concert.  But it was a fun night and one that I would repeat in an instant.  This group, whose individual musicians were originally inspired by the Beatles, will be around for some time.  They have fans who are loyal over the years and they are attracting new ones everyday.

With five successful albums and numerous other musical credits, you would think that these young Quebecers would have enough on their plate.  Think again!  Music is not their only interest.  Society and making a difference in it is very much a part of Simple Plan’s DNA.

Back in 2005, in a concert at Montreal’s Bell Centre, the group announced the creation of the Simple Plan Foundation.  Its objective is to help young people in need.  Whether it be combating a life-threatening disease, working to eliminate bullying in schools, finding a musical passion to keep them away from street gangs and criminality, or discouraging young people from dropping out of school, Simple Plan has parlayed its musical success for engagement in society. Clearly, their appeal and creativity goes beyond their music.

I had the opportunity to chat with each member of the group – Pierre Bouvier,  Chuck Comeau, David Desrosiers ,Sebastien Lefebvre,and Jeff Stinco..  Aside from being excellent conversationalists, they come across as sincere, committed, generous, and very charismatic as well.  Yes, they are outstanding ambassadors.  More importantly ,combining their music with their social engagement make them a great model to follow.

The Road Travelled (Promising Future for Québec)

Published in the Press Republican on December 3, 2011

A recent editorial in the Press-Republican (« An Understandable Need to Act, » Nov. 20) about Montréal and the French language comes to the conclusion that living the Montréal experience, with its exposure to the French language and culture, is appealing to tourists visiting our fair city. The editorial makes the point that moderate solutions to defend and promote the French language in Québec are understandable, given the historical and political context. 
 
Québec has the only French-speaking majority population in North America It is remarkable that Québec’s population of nearly 8 million inhabitants has been able not only to survive but to become a modern, vibrant and open French-speaking society in North America among 330 million English-speakers. It was not without effort, resilience and commitment. 
 
Historically, the French colony of New France (Québec) came under British control in 1763 following the Seven Years’ War (often referred to in Québec as the Conquest- “la Conquête“). The Conquest began what is often referred to by historians in Canada as “la survivance” (the struggle for survival). 
 
Following the Act of Québec (1774), the British authorities of the day allowed the overwhelmingly French-speaking population to freely practice its main religion (Roman Catholic), preserved its primary institutions (the Catholic Church, the civil law tradition and the land tenure regime), and recognized its right to use the French language before the Courts.
 
Through the centuries, Québec primarily defined itself by its French character, its use of British parliamentary institutions and practices, and the development of a unique proposition –that a majority French-speaking jurisdiction could survive and thrive in North America. 
 
Over the years, Québec politicians of different stripes have worked to assure the survival of the French language and the development of Québec society . True, it was not without differences. The presence of a significant and well-entrenched English-speaking minority community, with its historical roots and important contributions to Québec society, and the growing presence of ethnic communities who have come to Québec through immigration have brought the political system and the court system to assess various measures to protect and promote the French language, keeping in mind the need to respect minority rights and institutions.
 
Today, there is a general consensus that Québecers can live their lives in French, whatever their sphere of activity, while working together to build a forward-looking, pluralistic society that respects and promotes the diversity of its overall population. Despite some hits and misses along the way, Québec has always strived for dialogue and debate, finding peaceful, and balanced solutions conforming to both the Québec and Canadian Charters of Rights on language issues.
 
Québec has become a key economic partner for the United States, and for New York State, its number one trading partner. With an abundance of renewable energy provided by hydropower, we have become a solutions partner for our neighbours’ energy needs and environmental objectives in the U.S. Northeast. Last May, Québec launched the “Plan Nord“, an ambitious 25-year project for the development of the territory north of the 49th parallel, which is 10 times the size of New York State and possesses mineral riches and economic opportunity beyond our borders. In October 2011, Plattsburgh’s SUNY campus announced a new Fulbright Chair for Québec studies, a first in North America. And finally, many of Québec’s artists - including Cirque du Soleil, Céline Dion, Robert Lepage and Simple Plan - are international superstars.
 
So the road travelled was not without its challenges but for Québec, the present and future in Québec, in all fields of human activity, remains positive, promising and enduring. Worth a visit, no doubt.

'Tis the Season for Optimism

Posted at Americas Quarterly on December 2, 2012

When listening to often negative newscasts in Canada and the U.S., one would think that everything revolves around politics—whether the GOP primary in the U.S., the consistent debate on economic policy, or parliamentary tactics by the Harper government to end debate on controversial legislation. It’s as if all issues or solutions must have a political element. 

But Canada and the U.S. have much more to talk about than dysfunctional political conflicts. Both countries have promising futures despite sluggish economic growth projections. Just recently, respected CNN host Fareed Zakaria of the GPS program, presented an interesting take by asserting convincingly that “America is not Greece, Italy, or Japan.” He explains why Greece and Italy are not competitive enough in world markets, and argues how the U.S. remains innovative—by far the strongest economy—in selling its products around the world.

In his editorial, Zakaria then referred to a recent address by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers who illustrated that the U.S.’ economic downturn was not as severe as Japan’s so-called lost decades (1990-2010). While U.S. housing values went down by 33 percent, those in Japan in the 1990s went down by 75 percent. Japan’s stock market value went down by 75 percent, while the U.S. stock market has regained much of the lost value of 2007-08. Zakaria concludes that the economic and demographic potential remains the greatest among the world’s rich nations—and if the politicians discover the will to take on the fiscal problems, the future remains bright. 

In Canada, jobs lost in the last recession have been recovered. Canada has the best fiscal outlook of any G-8 countries. The country is resource-rich and has the most stable financial system among G-20 countries. 

This does not mean that politics is irrelevant or marginal to the destiny of our nation. Having been involved for over 30 years in political activity, I can attest to the importance of politics and how politicians can make a difference in advancing constructive public policy in the course of the democratic process. The problem seems to be that the political process is more polarized today, and our leaders are less inclined to compromise.

Maybe it is time for the players in the democratic conversation and in the political debate, including the elected representatives, the media, the interest groups, and the voters, to take a look at the bigger picture. They will likely conclude that some countries like Canada and the U.S. have a lot to be thankful for: stable democracies, strong economies, and social safety nets.

As we enter the holiday season, it may be time to become more optimistic and see the glass as “half full.” This way, we may be able to find common ground and debate our differences in a constructive and productive manner as we begin 2012.

Honouring Tolerance in Québec

We are saddened today by the terrible news that a 15-year-old Quebec girl committed suicide after years of bullying from her schoolmates. Despite recent measures to fight such abuse in schools, much remains to be done and I wish to pay tribute to the Foundation for Tolerance/La Fondation de la Tolérance (FDT), a group of community leaders from Québec’s Jewish community founded in 1995.

The group’s goal was to counter expressions of intolerance and stereotypes among the youth. Over the years, the group has hired young, motivated animators to spread the message of tolerance to students of senior high school age and educate them about the dangers of intolerance and expressions of racism in society. It is clearly an exercise in building for the future.

The animators, currently led by respected journalist and community leader Anne Lagacé Dowson, run three programs across Québec secondary schools, two in French and one in English. The FDT is funded through private donations and government programs. In the interest of full disclosure, I served as co-president of the group from 2006 -2009 with current president, Marc Gold, a respected community leader.

For the third consecutive year on Monday night, the FDT has handed out the Paul-Gérin Lajoie prize to citizens who have made the values and the mission of the foundation part of their professional lives. It was a way of acknowledging that education in the formative years is vital to a productive engagement in the adult years. 

This year, the FDT has given the award to two people: they are 13 year old Maxime Collard, and her mother, Isabelle Marchand. Both were responsible for mobilizing the local population against discrimination and bullying in school yards. This year’s recipients follow two prestigious winners, Dr. Guy Julien (social medicine ) in 2009, and Fr. Emmett “Pops” Johns (community work ) in 2010.

Back in 2007, as co-president, I published an article entitled “The Path to Tolerance.” In the light of this week’s terrible tragedy, I wish to share some excerpts that I believe reflect the vision of the FDT and its work:

“First, political and community leaders at all levels must quickly condemn in unequivocal terms any expressions of intolerance. This must be done not in singling out a specific group, but by repudiating any acts of violence or intolerance by referring to values universally recognized by human-rights advocates. Hesitancy to react can only encourage a recurrence of such events. Hatred is hatred, and it is wrong whoever the perpetrator is. No political situation can justify acts of intolerance in a democratic society.

Second, we need to elevate the level of political debate in civil society beyond the daily concentration on current problems. It is time that voters, editorialists and leaders insisted on a value-oriented debate within the political framework. We need to remind ourselves of fundamental democratic values that allow us to interact as a society, and permit us to look beyond and see how we can deal with the challenges of diversity in our communities. The recent celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights rehashed the controversial political events surrounding its passage, while the real significance should lie with the greater protection of individual rights. Public debate involving more than specific policy proposals and addressing the subjects of vision and values can have an educational benefit for all in society.

Third, schools at all levels must play a more proactive role to promote diversity, tolerance and understanding. It is heartening that politicians acted quickly to condemn potential acts of intolerance against Muslim communities following the events of Sept.11. We need more solidarity of this nature by average Canadians in good times as well. Dialogue about what divides us might be essential but understanding our common bonds and the need to live and grow together by celebrating our diversity is what will make us a stronger community.

We cannot export tolerance like we export goods and services, but we can send a compelling message by being a shining example to the rest of the world in making sure that we have a policy of zero tolerance for any behaviour that promotes hatred and runs counter to the respect of communities and their differences.”