Eco-power as an aspirational Canadian identity

A former student of Canadian history George Grant has written a very interesting review of a new book by Byron Williston called Ecological Nation: Toward Peace, Order and Good Government. The subtitle of that book echoes the constitutional purpose of Canada, often quoted in contrast to the United States’ life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The reviewer, Bruce K. Ward, contrasts Williston’s book against Grant’s classic Lament for a Nation and looks at both of these work in the context of the current resurgence of Canadian nationalism (the kind directed against US hegemony). It’s worth a read especially because he fairly treats Williston ideas that Canada could become a superpower if only we focused on ecological leadership instead of our current Petro-state aspirations. And he alos takes Williston to task on his conclusion that we aren’t actually going to get there without some form of eco-elitism based on a polished moral order amongst those who govern our country.

Order, justice, limits, planetary health: these are the interconnected elements that can give meaning to our sovereignty. But can such an idea bear the weight of reality? In response to this question, Williston ventures to identify the key worry that our political leadership lacks the courage to confront: despite brave talk, Canadians might not really be prepared to make the significant sacrifices that an “elbows up” nationalism requires, especially one with a green agenda. Williston does not shy away from addressing this concern: “Why do we have such a hard time putting citizenship above consumer comfort?” Citizens with the backbone and discipline to make material sacrifices do not simply appear ready-made. They have to be formed.

I wouldn’t mind having a crack at that book. But what I really aspire to in this world is perhaps a counterfactual: a Canada that thrives because we somehow recover enough of the project we are in together to make that pivot from fossil fuels to renewables, without some kind of top-down designed intervention on our souls. It is a project that could engage the entire country, and as I’ve written in these pages before the sooner we move in that way, the less likely it is that we will need coercion to move in that direction. We have enjoyed “freedom” to burn fossil fuels for so long that so we will discover that we have deferred a future of freedom to choose.