Standing for the promise of Canada

My first Canada Day was in 1998. As an immigrant from Argentina, I remember vividly walking the grounds of Osborne Village — despite the sea of people dressed in red and white, I was struck by the diversity and peacefulness of the crowd, everyone celebrating together.

Twenty-seven years later, as Canada marks its 158th birthday, I reflect on my first experience. And I am reminded of the promise of Canada that drew me and so many others to this country. At the heart of this promise are the values that define us: democracy, justice, equity and respect for all people. That regardless of your background, you can have a good, safe and prosperous life.

But these values don’t sustain themselves. Around the world, we are witnessing a surge of authoritarianism, disinformation and religious extremism that threatens the democratic institutions we hold sacred. These aren’t just distant crises in Europe or the Middle East; they are testing the resilience of our own democracy here at home.

The most important thing we can do right now is simple, yet profound: stand for the promise of Canada.

Canada’s promise is not rooted in uniformity, but in unity through diversity. This country was shaped first and foremost by Indigenous peoples, and later by immigrants and refugees from around the world. They came not only seeking safety, but determined to build something better for themselves, their families and the generations to follow.

To honour that promise, we must ensure that every Canadian — no matter what background they come from — can continue to live in safety and dignity, with the freedom to celebrate who they are and the right to pass on their traditions without fear.

There is no room in Canada for those who peddle fear, manipulate facts or attempt to divide us through intimidation. It pains me and so many others in our Jewish community and among our allies to see fellow Canadians take to the streets, chanting “Jews go back to Europe,” and in some cases calling for violence against us.

In places like Boulder, Colorado, and Washington D.C., we have seen how violent words lead directly to violent actions. And the numbers here in Canada speak for themselves: while making up less than one per cent of Canada’s population, Jews were the targets of 70 per cent of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2023.

We cannot be silent in the face of hate.

It is critical that all people in this province and country come together to fight for our values — because we can not take them for granted. As Pastor Martin Niemöller warned in the wake of the Holocaust:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out — because I was not a socialist. … Then they came for me —and there was no one left to speak for me.”

These words remain relevant. They remind us that when we protect the rights of others, we protect our own. When we speak out against hate, we defend the Canada we love. In other words, it is not just about the safety of one community that is at stake, it is about the safety of all Canadians and the values we hold dear.

This is a time for moral clarity — a time for all Manitobans and Canadians to speak out not just for ourselves, but for each other. A time to reject complacency and choose courage.

Let’s live our Canadian values not just in words, but through action. Let’s raise our voices — not in anger, but with purpose. And let’s work together to ensure the promise of Canada endures for future generations.

Gustavo Zentner is vice president of the Centre for Jewish and Israel Affairs.