Our country? Stephen Harper ads move from partisan attacks to militant nationalism

This week, Stephen Harper’s campaign released “Our Country”, the newest Conservative television ad. The content and approach doesn’t surprise me but it sends chills down my spine mostly because I believe it will appeal to a large number of Canadians for the simple reason that Canada doesn’t have much else to believe in right now. In the absence of a strong movement for hope and change, the rhetoric of security and nationalism is extremely persuasive. It is my hope that Canadians can resist this nationalist call to arms and find a more compassionate and realistic narrative.

The opening line is “Canada is and always has been our country” yet there are no depictions of First Nations culture. In fact, the multicultural element was boiled down to a quick shot of an elderly Chinese couple. That stings and sets a pretty strong message that echoes a startling xenophobic ad released earlier in the campaign.

Other than a farmer overlooking his photogenic wheat crop, there are no depictions of working class Canadians. In fact when this ad discusses Canadians it recycles footage of figure skaters and adorable old ladies from the 1950s. Is this what Canada looks like or is it a fictional identity we cling when ignoring the socio-political realities of Canada in the 21st century? Compare this to an ad released by Barack Obama’s campaign that features a diverse cross section of the America coming together for Hope and Change as opposed to the rhetoric of being a “Courageous Warrior”. This is an ad that represents diversity and a populist message of hope.

In fact it is this militarized nationalism that I find the most the most unsettling. Most of the comments I have seen on Facebook point to the same theme. It could be music or the footage of soldiers from World War I or Canadian fighter planes buzzing overhead. Is this what it means to be Canadian? We just lost a spot on the UN Security Council and last year we introduced a line of Canada-Israel stamps. As Human Rights Watch points out, we no longer lead on human rights. Canada is not and should not strive to be a country that prides itself on its military might.

To quote directly from this ad, “and only when it is these things [courageous warrior and compassionate neighbour], when Canada is all that it can be, only then can we say that our work is done”. Be all that you can be? This might sound familiar because it was the U.S. Army’s slogan for over two decades. I also don’t believe the work of a government is ever done. The needs of the Canadian people are constantly evolving and we need a government that is mindful of this and invests in the future of Canadians. I do agree with Stephen Harper “that Canada must be great, it must be great for all Canadians, it must be a country of hope and an example to the world”, I just don’t believe we are going to do this by buzzing overhead with our fighter jets and ignoring the people that make our nation great.

Scott Andrews is a Vancouver human-rights activist who maintains the blog Third Wave Activism.

Comments

46 Comments

Ivan Pulaski

Apr 7, 2011 at 6:11pm

What are his actual policies and plans? Why not simply state your platform and skip the ad hominem attacks and jingoism? What is next for Mr. Harper... calling Ignatieff a poopiehead?
These people actually run our nation? Fuck me.
Seriously what are your policies or is it simply an agenda?

Oh, and can we dispense of the party signs that litter lawns and roadsides. I don't care who you're voting for and I don't need to be reminded who's running it is a waste of resources and time. The money wasted on all this advertising bullshit which again tells us nothing of the parties actual policies because I guess those don't really matter.

I understand now even better the graffiti I saw all over Peru during the 2001 elections there, "Cien por ciento blanco." which translates to 100 % blank ballots. The system and all involved are corrupt and incompetent they are all the same. At least a minority government means some compromise and co-operation.

Patrick Smyth

Apr 7, 2011 at 7:42pm

“Canada is and always has been our country” - you don't like, then leave.

sarahvivian.thompson@gmail.com

Apr 7, 2011 at 8:08pm

Love. It. (the article, not Harper's ad, obviously). Very interesting, passionate, thought-provoking, and extremely insightful. The world would be a much better place if there were more Scott Andrews around :)

Johnny Whisper

Apr 7, 2011 at 8:34pm

I didn't realize that the ruling party could use tax payer funded military hardware in their ads.

Joey

Apr 7, 2011 at 8:56pm

Thought-provoking, scott.

Sonya

Apr 7, 2011 at 8:59pm

Well said!

frank

Apr 7, 2011 at 10:12pm

the first ad also includes other footage there are only 2 clips with soldiers in them. first from world war 1 when we joined a war to fight for a friend who was in trouble and the 2nd is of Canadian fighter jets doing the same. defending our friends.

Canada is not all about the military and we all know that but our military are the men and women who want to defend Canada and what Canada stands for.

the battlefield has changed since ww2 its not army against army its much much much more complex. peace keeping or not the combat is still the same.

as a Canadian I support our military and it disappoints me to think that some people get worked up over a couple of clips in an ad. your asking people to open there minds and listen but yet you come across so closed minded to the military.

Canada's systems (health care and ect) need to catch up to the growth of our population. reducing immigration will allow us to do so.

Lindsay R

Apr 8, 2011 at 5:55am

"... there are no depictions of First Nations culture. In fact, the multicultural element was boiled down to a quick shot of an elderly Chinese couple" - so true! Where is Canada's diversity? Our colour? Our difference? It is what makes us who we are - a nation of many cultures, peoples and histories. Why is our heritage that of a white majority? You make a great point in this aspect.

Greg Dean

Apr 8, 2011 at 7:13am

If any of you were serious you'd be out campaigning in the swing ridings - door-to-door. But I don't know a single Vancouver leftists (and I have family who is NDP staff because they canvassed every election, and many friends who have gone door-to-door) who are out in the swing ridings - even just North Burnaby counts this time, and still, none of ya. So shut up. Your 'insight' is nothing more than hot air. I personally welcome a Conservative government, they make it perfect for libertarian socialist organizing and construction of an systemic alternative. But you social democrats, liberals, and other deluded ones who believe the market can be regulated, you should be doing something other than thinking and producing media. Fat fu*_in chance, but according to your own values and principles, you should be. Bring on the neo-fascist and the stripping of this nanny-social-safety net state! Give the people room to organize themselves!