Commentary
Lt.-Gen. J.O. Michel Maisonneuve (retired) is a true Canadian patriot. But during his time in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and leadership at Canada’s French-language military university, he remained silent on the deteriorating international reputation of Canada and the internal issues plaguing Canadian society.
Maisonneuve’s military career began in 1972 as an armoured officer in the CAF. He received his education from the Royal Military College of Canada and served in various international missions. After retiring from the military in 2007, he transitioned into academia as the academic director of Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean.
In recognition of his significant contributions, Gen. Maisonneuve was awarded the Vimy Award in November 2022 for his dedication to the defense and security of Canada and its democratic values.
Related Stories
Maisonneuve’s book delves into Canada’s historical achievements and challenges the negative narrative that has dominated recent discourse. He highlights the nation’s remarkable progress since 1763, emphasizing the unity between diverse linguistic and religious groups, as well as the development of critical infrastructure in harsh conditions.
While acknowledging past shortcomings, Maisonneuve rejects the notion that Canada’s history is solely defined by oppression and injustice. He advocates for gender equality in the military and questions the current state of the country’s global standing.
He criticizes Canada’s focus on DEI initiatives at the expense of economic prosperity and environmental stewardship. Maisonneuve attributes much of the country’s struggles to governance and societal shifts.
Provincial education has been dominated by a negative portrayal of Canada as an oppressive and genocidal nation, focusing on figures like John A. Macdonald, Henry Dundas, and Egerton Ryerson. Instead of considering historical context, we judge these figures by today’s standards.
While Thomas Jefferson is still celebrated in the US despite his ties to slavery, recent reports of indigenous children’s mistreatment in American residential schools have not led to widespread shame or flag lowering. In contrast, Canada struggles to come to terms with its past.
Michel Maisonneuve suggests solutions to steer Canada back on track, emphasizing the need for strong national leadership. Implementing a model curriculum for history and social studies in schools could help highlight both Canada’s achievements and mistakes. Additionally, designated days to honor Canadian accomplishments and federal funding for teacher training could promote a more balanced education system.
Maisonneuve highlights Canada’s decline on the global stage and calls for action to address the nation’s shortcomings. It’s time for Canadians to acknowledge past wrongs, including mistreatment of indigenous peoples, and work towards a brighter future.
The author’s views are personal and may not align with those of The Epoch Times.
Source link
