In this episode of Dialogue Over Division, we begin our six-part series on the national interests identified by former Lieutenant Colonel David Redman in his 25-year vision for the country. Each national interest is vital on its own, but they are deeply intertwined—and we start with unity because it underpins how we live, work, and govern together.
Colonel Redman emphasizes that while Canada welcomes people from a wide range of backgrounds, lasting unity requires more than coexistence. It requires that citizens share a common set of values, ethics, and beliefs—a foundation shaped by our history, geography, and collective evolution. These shared principles don’t eliminate diversity, but they create the conditions for it to thrive in a cohesive and functioning society.
We explore how national identity is formed and sustained, and why it’s critical to clearly define what it means to be Canadian. Without that clarity, Redman warns, we risk eroding the very fabric that holds us together. He also outlines the responsibility of leaders to not only understand what unites the country, but to take deliberate and ongoing action to strengthen that unity.
Join us as we unpack what unity really means in a modern, pluralistic Canada—and why reconnecting with our shared identity is a necessary step toward building a stronger future for all.
So, what does unity mean to you — and what role do you play in shaping it?
Because if we don’t understand what unites us, how can we expect to protect it?
To explore these ideas further, read the full paper by Lieutenant Colonel David Redman, Canada 2024: A Confident Resilient Nation or a Fearful Fractured Country, available here: https://fcpp.org/2024/03/21/policy-series-canada-2024-a-confident-resilient-nation-or-a-fearful-fractured-country/
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