Reinstating Canada's Honour
A Call to Shift from Polarization to Healing
It was exactly a month ago today on August 18. I read reports about a new policy adopted by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada that mandates a 25-year wait period after a prime minister’s death before the federal government can officially commemorate that prime minister as a person of national historic significance. The board’s justification was “to allow for a balanced perspective on a prime minister’s contributions to Canadian history.” The reports purported the board’s decision as one of unfair political bias as this rule would first kick in with the delay of honours for Mulroney, a Progressive Conservative Prime Minister. Information on HSMBC’s new rules was first made public by online news source, Blacklock’s Reporter, through Access to Information records. Parks Canada, the government agency responsible for such commemorations, denied the allegation and called it misinformation.
What bothered me most about the board’s action was the fact that it decided to pass this policy only three months after Mulroney’s death, while grief was still fresh for both Mulroney’s family and Canadians. Mulroney died on February 29, 2024. The policy decision was made at an HSMBC meeting held on June 4-6, 2024. Really, what was the rush? There’s no other word to describe this except callus.
Additionally, the very same board that is striving to prioritize commemoration of the historically mistreated decided to stall honours from the Prime Minister, who stood in the House of Commons on September 22, 1988, and officially apologized for the incarceration and unjust treatment of 21,000+ Japanese Canadians during World War II. Mulroney also compensated them monetarily and established the Canadian Race Relations Foundation to spark discussions on interracial harmony.
This double standard speaks for itself. It also exposes the stark reality of a toxic decade marked by political weaponization of history, culture wars and a next level brand of hostility—politically motivated hate. Hate blinds people from basic decency. How else can you explain the mean-spiritedness of today’s political climate? This does not reflect a healthy democracy.
HSMBC’s new policy decision compelled me to write a letter to the government on history, race relations, and national cohesion, with aspirations to call for correction and efforts to restore national unity. I began my research and letter writing the same day on August 18.
Then, on September 10, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. It was a cold-blooded murder that left the 31-year old Republican activist’s 3 and 1-year-old children fatherless and his wife widowed. The assassination was disturbing not only on a human level, but also as a clear attack on democracy at large—using the ultimate act of violence to shut down opposing perspectives. I offer my condolences to Charlie’s wife, children, and loved ones.
The timing of Kirk’s assassination was also a shock. I was nearing the end of my letter to the government, tweaking the last section of my 30+ page document. The segment I was working on was about the dangerous impact of polarization and culture wars on public safety and national security.
I was also shocked when I came to the point in the news that identified Mr. Kirk’s organization as, “Turning Point USA.” Here’s why.
Back in 2023, at the peak of parliamentary debates on foreign interference in Canada’s elections, I had just completed a year of taking courses on National Security and Intelligence at a university in Ottawa. After I completed my certificate, I opened a Substack account to start writing op-eds on national security in Canada. My first post was about tackling foreign interference. It opened a new door in my post-parliamentary life. It all stemmed from my concern for the lack of protection for victims of transnational repression and the overall lack of concern by our government on foreign threats. These issues had lingered on my radar even after my term in office as MP. I aspired to contribute my part to help shift our national security culture i.e. to see our government to take foreign interference, transnational repression and terrorism more seriously.
So I called my blog, “Turning Points.”
This bizarre coincidence of names with Charlie Kirk’s organization had me think a lot about the price of speaking out against the current. The heart, time and effort I invest to understand and publicly address national security challenges is not easy on my soul. I have to frequently step away to restore hope and joy after perceiving the dark underbelly of society. It is also frustrating to watch Canadians being gaslighted by politicians and bureaucrats who undermine the seriousness of adversarial foreign states meddling with our security and the reality of terrorist supporters infiltrating our democratic process. There are easier, safer and more personally lucrative ways to use one’s platform as a former MP.
But I value democracy and Canada’s sovereignty as a nation because those are the things that allow us to enjoy freedom, peace, and prosperity. Sadly, our country has strayed from the true essence of a democracy that aspires for the first class citizenship of all Canadians. If we keep walking in ignorance and arrogance thinking we are invincible, we’ll have a very rude awakening.
There is also a wide gap between politicians and national security practitioners. This gap is hurting our resilience in these times of growing threats and conflicts in the world. It matters that we humble ourselves to do due diligence. Our current political culture must shift to restore stability and ensure Canada is a safe and prosperous nation for all who love our country and call it their home. I try to bridge the gaps by using my parliamentary experience and platform as a former MP to share perspectives that call for government accountability and moral clarity on public safety and national security. This is my patriotic contribution.
A turning point is a time when a decisive change occurs in a situation, especially for the better.
A turning point occurs in stories, when the protagonist has a moment of self-awareness and insight and decides to change their perspective, behaviour, and direction to pursue a better path in life.
A purposeful life is the outcome of many turning points—decisions based on integrity and hope.
Yes, “Turning Points” is still a relevant and important expression of my patriotism because I care more than ever. Freedom, peace, and prosperity aren’t free. Anyone who cares needs to step up and do their part. This is the soul searching I did in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
If speaking out on what one perceives as politically unjust warrants assassination and the applause of opponents upon that individual’s death, then we are no longer living in a civilized democratic society but one of cruel, anarchic political barbarism.
As the title of a recent Globe and Mail article with a play on words asks, “Will Charlie Kirk’s death be a turning point for America?” May I also ask, “Will Charlie Kirk’s death also be a turning point for Canada to walk toward national cohesion?”
Over the last several days, I completed my submission to the government. On September 16, I emailed my letter to relevant Cabinet Ministers, Parks Canada and HSMBC. I also cc’d the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Security Intelligence Service as the issues I addressed ultimately point toward safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty from both domestic and foreign threats. I am making this letter available to the public, hoping to inspire much needed public introspection to compel the restoration of honour in our political discourse.
The document is called, “A Matter of Honour: History, Race Relations, and National Cohesion.”
To read the full document please click on the links below:
Below are some key excerpts by subsections.
Introduction: On the Matter of Honour
“Today, there’s a different brand of dishonour that is eroding the resilience of our nation. It is manifesting through harsh, prejudiced discourse across the political spectrum. Basic human decency is out the window. We are at a juncture where ‘honour’ as a Canadian virtue must be intentionally revitalized if we are to save our country from being torn apart by political culture wars. While it is causing the silent majority of Canadians to shake their heads, political polarization continues to destabilize our democracy.”
“As we must not lose sight of the inherent worth of people just because they look different, neither can we forfeit decent treatment of others just because they think differently. Decency cannot be selective only to those we understand, prefer, or agree with.”
“At the heart of conflict, prejudice and crime is a deficit of honour.”
“Without honour, democracy can easily become an anarchy—a narcissistic tug of war that milks the Charter for all its rights without upholding the responsibility required to allow the rights to be enjoyed peacefully in a diverse “thought mosaic.” Honour is reflected in thoughtfulness, integrity, respect, self-restraint . . . and unity.”
“Honour captures the spirit of every good virtue and empowers a society to flourish to its full potential of goodness and human ingenuity. Any Canadian government of the day, regardless of its partisan affiliation, must ensure it never loses sight of honour as the glue that holds a democracy together and allows Canada to be functional and a place of “first class citizenship” for all Canadians. The government’s job is not to create or engage in culture wars. It’s job is to serve the people well and to be a stabilizing force in the lives of Canadians. What will unify our country and advance Canada’s destiny is a culture of honour.”
“A government serves its people with honour when it leads with accountability and actions that demonstrate respect for the public it serves. When a government acts with honour, the people can trust its governing bodies. The nation as a whole is more resilient, prosperous and patriotic. An absence of honour in governance is interpreted by the public as immaturity, incompetence, and a lack of professionalism and ethics. When the people cannot trust its government, a nation begins to shake and destabilize.”
“Honour is central to accountability, national cohesion and resilience.”
On a Matter of Words
“Unfortunately, whether stated intentionally or in haste, Parks Canada’s use of the term ‘misinformation’ was inappropriate. The supporting statements made by Parks Canada to indirectly refute the credibility of Blacklock’s report as a source of ‘misinformation’ did not sufficiently provide the clarity required to warrant such an allegation.”
“The internet is notorious for the spreading of misinformation from tabloid gossip to foreign interference propaganda. When a Government of Canada agency uses the term misinformation, it doesn’t carry as a mere casual statement. It delivers profound weight and authority because terms used by governmental institutions are often concise, technical and legal. Words like ‘misinformation’ and ‘disinformation’ are often used as technical terms by other government agencies that discuss democratic integrity, crime and national security, such as fraud and foreign interference.”
“Blacklock’s report was a commentary on government propriety and fairness. But Parks Canada called it misinformation. This raises a point on the delicate check and balance of government tone and assertion of authority in a space of healthy democratic discourse, especially when criticism points to legitimate concerns about professionalism and transparency in the work of government agencies and appointed bodies.”
Moving Toward Healing and Reconciliation
“Forgiveness is key to healing and reconciliation.”
“I recognize that in today’s culture of anger and condemnation toward past wrongs, there is a temptation to revise, cancel, and weaponize history. Defacing and tearing down statues is criminal. It does nothing to advance reconciliation, but, instead, stokes more anger and deepens cultural divides. Vengeance and condemnation of the dead doesn’t punish those who are buried. It punishes the living. Thus, in this environment, those who aspire to help the historically wronged must ask of themselves if they are merely contributing to perpetuating grief or empowering resilience and healing.”
“Cultivating a ‘policing’ model of curating Canada’s history does not promote a spirit of reconciliation but reinforces the divides and broken trust. Reconciliation is compelled by true contrition that looks toward restoring trust and a path forward. Self-castigation puts a spotlight on the grandiosity of the government’s penance. It does little to promote a spirit of reconciliation.”
“Furthermore, creating classifications that lessen the value of one demographic over another creates cultural divides through resentment. No Canadian wants to be told they are not a priority or be wrongfully stigmatized with historical reproach that isn’t theirs to carry. Thus, while fair treatment of minorities is being worked out, the majority should not be treated as a lesser priority.”
“When Canada is conveyed as a chessboard of villains and victims by leaders and institutions that want to play Robin Hood, it is not only divisive, but there is thievery of honour from somewhere to maintain this optical dynamic. This approach is dangerous to our country’s morale and unity.”
“Martin Luther King Jr modelled a path of advocacy motivated by honour. He pursued justice by peacefully seeking to cultivate interracial unity, and not through retaliation. He understood that ‘darkness cannot drive out darkness’ nor can ‘hate drive out hate.’”
“Guardrails to allow for fair treatment and consideration of minorities should help even the playing field without undermining those who appear less victimized. Thus, rather than treat Canada like a sum zero chessboard of villains and victims, and the well endowed and less endowed, it is better to perceive Canada as a young dynamic country of imperfect humans learning to find their place in a challenging and conflicted world. It is important to acknowledge the reality of our strengths and weaknesses, while choosing national resilience as the larger mandate that unites us despite our differences.”
“There is no evil or shame in being African, Asian, Indigenous, Middle Eastern, South American or having a religion. There is also no evil or shame in being European, white, or Christian. While the founders of Canada were mostly European, white and Christian, those living in the current age are not responsible for the wrongdoings of the past. They should not be politically targeted or undervalued.”
“The atrocities our country committed historically are horrific, but even then, what happened was the byproduct of the darker realm of the human condition—blind ambition, abuse of power, cruelty, and prejudice. To conflate past wrongdoings as permanent attributes unique only to whites, Europeans or Christians is in and of itself prejudiced and ill-informed. There is no halo over any one nation, race, or religion. Every nation, not only Canada, past and present has its prejudices. Even diaspora communities in Canada have their prejudices within their own communities and against those outside their own. There is denominational tensions even within religions. It is a phenomenon that cannot be stopped as long as tribalism is inherent to the human condition. The better side of our humanity also has great potential to reason and to love our neighbours well. We temper the darkness with education and public guardrails.”
“The Charter is the largest public guardrail. But the effectiveness of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is ultimately dependent on fair interpretations, enforcement, and protection from political weaponization. Honour in our culture is necessary to safeguard the integrity of our democracy, the rule of law, and the Charter.”
National Cohesion and National Security
“In today’s threat environment of foreign interference and complex imported foreign conflict, intercultural peace and national cohesion are more critical than ever. Hostile foreign states and their proxies exploit our social fissures and weaponize our historical wrongs, not to improve race relations, but to silence political criticism, erode public confidence in our democratic institutions, obstruct the work of our national security apparatuses and resist prosecution. Their ultimate goal is to sabotage our country while advancing their military, economic, and political interests.”
To the degree that Canadians contributed their all in the war efforts of the 1940s, we must all work together to revitalize a culture of honour in Canada. We must not be our own worst enemies. Honour is the most secure path forward.
All hands on deck for a more resilient Canada.
Nelly Shin
Former Member of Parliament
Read Submission to Government:
A Matter of Honour: History, Race Relations, and National Cohesion
Sources Cited:
https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/feds-refusing-to-recognize-mulroney-is-beyond-ridiculous
https://www.blacklocks.ca/pms-divisive-even-in-death/
https://x.com/ParksCanada/status/1957501572054937825
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/us-politics/article-charlie-kirk-turning-point-usa-republicans-democrats/
Well said. Too bad nothing will come of it since everyone on the list is part of the morass of incompetency, pettiness and partisanship!