The world is under pressure. Climate change, artificial intelligence, global instability, and rising inequality are testing even the most established democracies. But while some countries have veered into division, dysfunction, or outright regression, others have quietly held the line. They have remained grounded in their values, committed to the public good, and focused on governing for the long term.
Canada is one of those countries.
We do not always get everything right. However, when you take a step back and examine the state of global democracy, it becomes clear that Canada has managed to preserve what matters most: trust in institutions, commitment to evidence-based policy, and a sense of shared responsibility.
That does not mean we are untouched by the same pressures confronting the rest of the world. Like everyone else, we are wrestling with the economic dislocation caused by inflation and automation, the existential urgency of climate action, and the social fragmentation amplified by disinformation. But instead of turning on each other or retreating into tribalism, Canadians are confronting these challenges together, and we are doing so through concrete, forward-looking policies.
Take the recent suite of measures introduced by the government under Prime Minister Mark Carney. These are not slogans or stunts. They are targeted, fiscally responsible policies designed to help Canadians meet the moment.
The middle-class tax cut announced in April will provide a break for 22 million Canadians. It increases the Basic Personal Amount and reduces tax rates on the first income bracket, meaning more people keep a larger portion of their paycheque. It is designed to help middle-income earners at a time when affordability is top of mind, without blowing a hole in the federal budget.
We are also addressing one of the most frustrating barriers to national productivity: internal trade. For decades, Canadian businesses have faced unnecessary restrictions on goods, services, and labour crossing provincial lines. That is finally changing. The new Internal Market Framework being advanced by the government will simplify interprovincial regulations and harmonize standards, allowing businesses to operate more freely across Canada. It is the kind of policy that does not make headlines but delivers real economic value and signals a serious approach to governance.
On housing, the government has introduced a GST cut for first-time homebuyers. This is a targeted measure to make home ownership more attainable for young Canadians entering the market.
These are not performative gestures. They are real answers to real problems. They reflect a broader truth about Canada's standing in the world today.
Contrast this with what we see south of the border. The United States remains a great nation, but it is undeniably struggling to cope with the same pressures. Political polarization has stalled progress on climate change, weakened the social safety net, and eroded trust in elections. Despite having unmatched technological capacity, the United States still lacks a national AI strategy with enforceable ethical guidelines. Social media has become a vector for disinformation and extremism rather than civic engagement.
Even efforts to address inequality have been mired in political trench warfare. The result is a society where public life feels fragile and every issue becomes a zero-sum game.
Canada is not immune to these forces. But we have done a better job resisting them. We have expanded our commitment to public healthcare, including the full rollout of the Canada Dental Plan, which now covers qualifying individuals of all ages as of the end of May. We have remained welcoming to newcomers, respected science, and upheld the rule of law. Our institutions are not perfect, but they are intact. And they continue to deliver results that improve people香蕉视频直播檚 lives.
We are not perfect, and Canadians are often the first to say so. But measured against the world, we are doing a lot right.
We also stand alongside a small number of resilient democracies that have refused to give in to division or despair. Countries such as Sweden, France, and Australia have remained true to their values in the face of tremendous pressure. They are tackling climate change with urgency, regulating artificial intelligence with foresight, and maintaining a baseline of social trust that allows them to govern for the many, not just the few.
Canada belongs in that company. The work we are doing now to reduce taxes, improve housing, and enhance trade, among other initiatives, is proof that we are demonstrating what steady, democratic leadership can still achieve.
Stephen Fuhr PC CD
MP (Elect) Kelowna
