Abstract
Since Canada’s colonial beginnings, it has become increasingly riddled with classism, racism, sexism, and other damaging outcomes of structured social inequality. In 2006, however, many types of social injustice were turbo-charged under the federal leadership of the Harper government. For example, a recent southern Ontario study shows that less than half of working people between the ages of 25 and 65 have full-time jobs with benefits. The main objective of this paper is to critique the dominant Canadian political economic order and the pain and suffering it has caused for millions of people. Informed by left realism and other progressive ways of knowing, I also suggest some ways of turning the tide.
Highlights
Perhaps this statement is the best way to start this article: ‘The Tories have changed Canada in no time at all’ (Harper 2013a)
A few years after Harper was first elected Prime Minister, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC), which is the main funder of social scientific research, prioritized business‐related doctoral research (DeKeseredy and Schwartz 2010; Fenwick 2009)
The transitions described in the paper and elsewhere are part of a much longer list of negative changes that happened in a relatively short period of time,8 but the seeds for such dramatic transformations were planted a long time ago and the garden in which they were placed was routinely cared for by a strong cadre of right‐wing corporate and political elites
Summary
Perhaps this statement is the best way to start this article: ‘The Tories have changed Canada in no time at all’ (Harper 2013a). The new Canada and its relationship to the US Of all the countries in the world, the United States (US) has the greatest effect on Canada This is not surprising for numerous reasons, including that most Canadians reside near the US border. Simpson's (2000: 95) observation is still correct: Canadians prefer to think of their country as virtue incarnate, its cup of tolerance running over. They endlessly recycle the cliché about Canada the ‘peaceable kingdom’ in large part because it makes them feel good about themselves. The federal Tories and some provincial governments, such those in Ontario and Alberta, warmly embrace the neoliberal doctrine and do not require much, if any, nudging from US politicians and business elites to create laws and policies that solely benefit the prosperous
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
