Commentary
Recent studies show a decline in patriotism among Canadians, with the sharpest drop observed in Canadian youth. This trend is attributed to public schools teaching that Canadian society consists of an oppressive majority group and various minority groups, discouraging the development of patriotic sentiments that could foster national unity.
An Angus Reid poll released in December revealed that only 49 percent of Canadians feel a “deep emotional attachment” to their country. A new
Ipsos poll indicates that 43 percent of Canadians aged 18-34 would vote for Canada to join the United States if given full US citizenship and conversion of assets to US dollars. This percentage is significantly higher than older age groups, reflecting a willingness among young Canadians to prioritize individual financial gain over national identity.
One of the main factors contributing to this decline in patriotism among youth is the ideological framework promoted in public schools. Educational institutions emphasize racial identities over national unity, perpetuating a narrative that questions and challenges the concept of a shared national identity.
The Canadian School Libraries organization advocates for an
“equity-informed” approach to book selection, focusing on marginalized voices and eliminating content deemed harmful, oppressive, or colonial. This approach reflects a broader trend in educational settings to prioritize diverse perspectives and exclude materials that do not align with current ideological standards.
Despite a growing backlash against these ideologies, some educational institutions, like the Toronto District School Board, continue to promote concepts like “white supremacy” and the need to decolonize education. Calls for mandatory diversity training for educators further underscore the persistence of divisive ideologies in the educational system.
Similar trends are observed in other provinces, such as British Columbia and Saskatchewan, where courses like “Social Justice 12” and “Black Studies 12” reinforce concepts of privilege, power, and systemic oppression. These initiatives reflect a broader shift towards emphasizing race-based narratives and identities in Canadian education.
These examples illustrate a broader pattern of ideological influence in Canadian schools, where students are encouraged to view themselves through the lens of race and oppression rather than as part of a shared national identity. The impact of these ideologies is evident in the declining levels of patriotism among Canadian youth, who are increasingly open to the idea of annexation by the United States.
To address this trend and reignite patriotism, a return to a traditional education model that fosters pride in Canadian heritage and history is essential.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
