On Canada and Democracy

I wholeheartedly disagree with everything that's happened in Canada in the last few years.

When we first moved to Canada in 2000, a teacher on a regular salary could afford a house, and a pretty good standard of living.

Right now, that is far from the truth. Look, in everything in life, you can move in two directions, either better or worse. Stagnation is impossible.

In the last 20 years, things have gotten worse. For sure. You might have shinier gadgets - but those are just distractions. From the time we spend with family, our health, and our homes.

All these things have deteriorated - by a lot. In a country that goes on seemingly forever, clean water, and with resources literally everywhere.

Canadians should be far richer, happier, and healthier.

That is absolutely not the case. I honestly feel bad for the country that let us in so many years ago. They were kind, and welcoming. Now, I look at Canada in honest embarrassment.

I believe the causes of such a wide array of failings are not so simple. And would be reductive to simply say: "Trudeau did it." Or even the politicians are at fault.

In a democratic society, where we are taught about our 'freedom', 'political will', and 'choice', is the ultimate responsibility for the country not in the hands of the voter?

If you say no, then how democratic is our society, where the failings are solely placed on our governments.. that we supposedly voted in? If you believe then that the apparent failings of Canada in its waste of resources and deterioration of polite society, are not our own doing,

• then who ultimately is in power? who ultimately is responsible?

Photo is of me in Kits Beach, Vancouver, BC, Canada on my boat!