The Fake Divide

On the fake divide:

I was in Alberta on the night of the federal election.  You only need to look at the sea of blue that flooded these western provinces to know how that was. As we speed (er, drive responsibly) across snowy Saskatchewan, I want to share a thought.

For all the talk of the national divide I have heard, I do not believe it truly exists.  Yes - Canada is large and spread out and there are many topographical things between us - but, as any touring musician can tell you, that space is often filled by a whole lotta nothing.  

I respectfully suggest that this other divide we hear about is similar.

I’ll explain.

I've spent more time in Alberta and Saskatchewan over the last few years than any place outside of Winnipeg.  They have been so good to me. I truly do love these provinces.  I've spent months in each at least.  I think I have played at least 25 shows in Saskatchewan in that period and many more in Alberta.

I have had conversations with hundreds of people.
I have listened to the local news.
I have read the local papers.
I have eavesdropped in local restaurants.  
I have rented local cars and bought local gas.
I have sat at local tables and slept in local beds.
I have heard a lot of different perspectives from a lot of people.

And, I have heard FAR more in common than not.

I have heard from very few people who don’t actually consider climate change to be a major issue.  
There are not many people who don’t believe that renewable energy is the way forward.  

I have heard from a lot of people who are hurting or scared - (if we’re being honest) isn’t that one more thing most of us have or have had in common?

I have also heard a lot of the rhetoric about the future of fossil fuels in Canada and this brings me to the crux of my theory.

I believe the divide is largely fabricated and perpetuated by ‘interests’ whose interest is not actually the people who then take up the talk of a divide.  It comes out of the mouths of politicians seeking personal gain through our basest emotion. It comes through the well-funded lobbies of companies who are non-liable and often not even based in this country. And finally, I believe it comes from a very real place of fear, which I think is often born of ignorance.  

Often, not even always willful ignorance.

If this was an election on the climate crisis, as Ive seen and read it reported over and over, then it was also an election cast largely and avoidably, in the dark.  I believe it was shameful that there was not a dedicated debate between leaders on the subject (and I mean and actual debate - not that substance-less farce of childish talk-over-y). 

Each party should have been forced to develop, explain and then reveal an IN-DEPTH plan to combat our single greatest preventable existential threat. They should have had to respond to scrutiny and criticism from experts and ordinary people from across the country, including the west.  There are people here with very real concerns about their future and their livelihood - which will be impacted by any national climate action.
I know these people care about their children and their future on a habitable planet as well. They deserve to hear from their current and prospective leaders on how they plan to bridge that gap.  

I, for one, believe that the transition to renewable energy IS indeed the greatest economic opportunity in recent history.  I believe that in many ways the west is uniquely qualified to lead that charge (and reap the benefits).  I believe the government has a role to play in speeding up and easing that transition and that the jobs it will create will be plenty, sustainable and profitable.

I also believe that leaders have a role to play in quelling this talk of divide with compassionate consultation (which includes listening), consideration of the people affected and then brave meaningful action.

Without this, the polarization will only grow and our chances diminish.

I am reminded of the bald kid from the Matrix who explains to Neo that to bend the spoon, one must first realize the truth. There is no spoon.

There is no divide.  If we talk about Canada as a nation - that includes all of us.
That means the West.
The East.
The North.
It means acknowledging our horrific colonial history and its real life consequences.
It means seeking out and respecting Indigenous sovereignty and leadership.  
It means considering the wellbeing and future of oil patch workers in the West and elsewhere. 
It means all of us.

There is no divide.

If we allow division, we will suffer together.