Beyond virtue: A blueprint for Canadian renewal

“Western democracies are losing not just wars, but the ability to define victory,” warn U.S. economist Paul Krugman and military historian Phillips O’Brien during a discussion posted Aug. 23 to O’Brien’s Substack.

Their insight should jolt Canadian policymakers awake: modern conflict is a contest of systems, not just soldiers. And Canada, drifting strategically, risks irrelevance — or worse, complicity in its own decline.

We speak the language of virtue — human rights, climate justice, multilateral diplomacy — but too often, it’s just that: language. Behind the rhetoric lies a troubling reality. Our defence spending lags. Arctic sovereignty is vulnerable. Digital infrastructure is tethered to foreign systems, leaving national security exposed to decisions made in Washington — or worse, by private billionaires.

O’Brien’s warning about Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink and U.S. intelligence isn’t just a cautionary tale — it’s a mirror. And while we hesitate to confront authoritarian regimes abroad, we also fail to confront creeping authoritarianism at home.

Let’s be blunt: our neighbour to the south is no longer a stable democratic partner. The erosion of norms, politicized courts, and normalized disinformation have transformed the United States into a cautionary tale.

If Canada wants to remain a functioning democracy, we must stop treating American decline as a temporary fever. It’s a structural shift — and we must respond accordingly.

To move beyond slogans, Canada must invest in capabilities that make values actionable. That means establishing a Canadian “cyber command” to defend against surveillance and sabotage. Expanding Arctic infrastructure with Indigenous-led governance, icebreaker fleets, and satellite surveillance. Launching a strategic technologies fund to support Canadian innovation in AI, quantum computing, and clean energy. And supercharging public R&D to lead in the technologies that will define the next century.

These aren’t luxuries. They’re the price of autonomy in a contested world.

Canada once built a railway to unite a vast and diverse land. It’s time to do it again — electrified, sustainable, and visionary. A pan-Canadian high-speed rail network would connect regions, slash emissions, reduce reliance on air travel, and symbolize a renewed commitment to national cohesion and climate leadership. This isn’t just infrastructure — it’s imagination made real.

Restricting immigration is not just morally questionable — it’s strategically foolish. Immigrants bring talent, entrepreneurship, cultural richness, and global networks. Canada’s future depends on welcoming those who choose to build it with us.

We’ve charted our own course before. We refused to join the Iraq War in 2003. We pioneered peacekeeping under Lester B. Pearson. We embraced multiculturalism in the 1970s. These weren’t accidents — they were strategic, values-driven choices. It’s time to choose again.

According to the 2025 Freedom in the World report, Canada ranks fifth globally in democratic strength, earning a score of 97 out of 100 — among the highest in the world. But democracy isn’t a trophy to be displayed. It’s a practice to be renewed, challenged, and defended every day.

To strengthen it, we must combat disinformation through media literacy and platform accountability. Reform electoral systems to reduce polarization. Invest in civic education. Protect press freedom and independent journalism. Democracy isn’t just about institutions — it’s about people who believe they matter.

Canada doesn’t need to mimic Washington to lead. It can champion climate diplomacy, support democratic resilience in the Global South, and forge alliances with fellow middle powers like Germany, Japan, and Australia to shape a coalition of democratic middle powers. Prime Minister Mark Carney is already advancing this vision — his recent visits to Poland, Ukraine, Germany, and Latvia signal a renewed commitment to strategic partnerships, democratic solidarity, and global leadership. Leadership isn’t about size — it’s about clarity of purpose.

Manitoba is uniquely positioned to contribute. Its aerospace sector, Indigenous leadership in Arctic governance, and central geography make it vital to Canada’s strategic future. Winnipeg, as a hub of innovation and multiculturalism, can model the inclusive, forward-looking Canada we must build.

The now mostly empty National Research Council buildings on Ellice Avenue should be repurposed into functioning scientific laboratories for cutting-edge research. These could include advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, sustainable food packaging, and medical device development — fields where Canada can lead and where Manitoba’s talent and infrastructure already offer a strong foundation.

The redevelopment of the Port of Churchill — backed by Carney and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew — is a powerful example of national renewal. As the only deepwater Arctic port in North America accessible by rail, Churchill is poised to become a cornerstone of Canada’s sovereignty, trade diversification, and climate strategy.

Canada’s strategic drift is not inevitable. But reversing it demands courage, clarity, and commitment. Let’s stop mistaking proximity for alignment, and comfort for security. The world is changing. Canada must choose: lead with purpose — or be led by others.

It’s encouraging that Carney’s Liberal government is moving forward with bold, co-operative initiatives. Let’s continue in that direction — with ambition, independence, and purpose.

Martin Zeilig is a Winnipeg-based journalist and writer.