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What Canadians worry about?



Early today I was reading David Frum’s blog/news site, and wondered a number of things.  Despite having left Canada more than 20 years ago, he remains interested and connected to the country of his birth.  Not only is his sister a Senator (in Ottawa) but he remains well connected in Canada’s intelligentsia.

Apparently, David was invited at the last get together that Jim Flaherty hosted near Ottawa a few days ago, and where political and economic topic about Canada were discussed.  Chatham house rule applied (where you cay discuss the ideas raised but not who took what position) to the entire get together.

So what worries Canada’s leading lights?  In no particular order these are the main themes:

  • Canadian health care costs are rising at more than 6% per annum
  • Canadians incurred too much debt
  • Is the Federal government correct in keeping its target for a balance budget to 2014


When discussing America there is a certain amount of despair; the dogmatism in America seems out of control.  When a political leader in Washington can say: “Our only objective is to make sure that Obama is a one term president” governing become impossible, since the opposition takes a scorched earth strategy – its blocks everything, from nominee to policy to law, and works hard at introducing fatuous bills that will never make it into law.  I don’t know if the Republican’s strategy will harm their 2012 prospects (BTW I am not saying that the Republicans are the only problem), but this kind of behavior will encourage the democrats to take similar action.  The debt ceiling debate was awful because it was apparent that the GOP were relishing the idea of taking the economy hostage, fur pure and ephemeral political gain.  

Canadians view this behavior as destructive to the country and the democratic process.  American politicians have become skillful at using strident statements to get elected but have forgotten why they were really elected – to run the country.  Good at winning election but very bad at governing.
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