Difference

It says something about the world now, when in close to my ninth decade, I am multi-tasking and watching the swearing in of our new federal cabinet.  It’s means “I swear” in the sense of loyalty to the government headed by a King who does not live here and is represented by another person our Governor General – whose ancestry is Inuit. Americans would understand that as Eskimo. It makes me so aware of our differences from our neighbours to the south. In spite of spell-check I spell :neighbours: in the Canadian and British way.

The ceremony on national TV started by showing cabinet members and friends arriving at Government House, the residence of the Governor General, on a pleasant May morning. The top row of chairs on the right of the ballroom were reserved for guests that included three past governor-generals and a former prime minister. A few rows back were a provincial premier (the equivalent of an actual US Governor) and a First Nations chief in ceremonial head dress. The new Prime Minister’s wife and two daughters chatted with animation the other guests.

Then the official party entered, followed by the members of the new cabinet.  They were not there because of being either billionaires of friends of the leader – or probably both. Their selection depended on first being elected as a member of Parliament, chosen by the people in their constituency. They come from several provinces and territories and part of the challenge for a prime minister and his advisors is to choose among them – with a balance of geography, gender and experience.  A number of them are first time members.

The first thing that happened was a greeting and prayer by a member of our First Nations – holding an Eagle feather and a wheel, representing the four directions of the universe. The prayer was in Algonquin with many repetitions of thanks and welcome.

It was not the only words in another language. Those being sworn in made their promises in English and French, both our official languages. Many could have added other languages from their own diverse cultures. While we have much in common with our southern neighbours, we really are different. Threatening and demeaning us hasn’t worked the way the American leader intended. It has given a better reminder to at least one person writing this of who we are.