By J. Barry Engelhardt MD (ret.) MHSc (bioethics)

Canada is a young and very fortunate country. In terms of global history, our democratic independence was won rather easily. We have not had to face the ordeal of civil war like our neighbours to the south. Though we fought bravely as a nation during the World Wars, we never experienced the terrors that so many in the world had to face in order to maintain democracy and freedom. All of these blessings have been bestowed on Canadians rather fortuitously.

But there is a potential downside to having been given so much so easily: we may find ourselves taking it for granted.

Those who claim to have been ‘traumatized’ by having trucks drive through their neighbourhoods or truck horns honking loudly might want to reflect on this: many people have died, literally died, so that you can experience that. They might want to reflect on how many individuals throughout the world (even today, the Ukraine?) have had foreign tanks crush through their streets, or air-raid sirens wail day and night, or bombs destroy their belongings as a price they had to pay to maintain freedom and democracy.

Perhaps it is time for some Canadians to put down their lattes and reflect on the sacrifices needed to maintain democracy, such as tolerating the opinions of fellow Canadians with whom one may not agree. Or having to endure the inconvenience of road closures and detours. Or the horrendous discomfort of, gasp, fellow Canadians asking questions and expecting transparent answers from authorities, the very essence of democracy.

As we mature as a nation, I hope we find ourselves looking past our own borders, past our own immediate desires, past our own traumas and appreciating our situation from a more universal perspective in order to see a much bigger picture. No nation will survive long if it does not build itself on a strong foundation of moral principles, ones that hold sacred the sanctity and diversity of every human life.

Today we are at a profound and unprecedented crossroads in the history of this great nation.

It’s time for Canada to grow up.