One Nation, Many Voices: Building Bridges for a Better Canada

In the trenches of war, on the streets of our cities, and across the sacred lands of Indigenous nations, Canadians have always found strength in unity. Whether defending freedom abroad or rebuilding communities at home, we’ve shown that when we come together—across cultures, faiths, and political beliefs—we are unstoppable.

But today, we face a different kind of battle: division. Political polarization, cultural misunderstandings, and historical wounds threaten to pull us apart. It’s time to remember that Canada is not built by one voice, but by many. From Indigenous peoples to immigrants, from every faith and background, we are the sum of our parts—and we are strongest when we build bridges, not walls.

A Nation Built Together

Since the 1860s, over 17 million immigrants have arrived in Canada, bringing with them languages, traditions, and skills that have enriched our communities and economy. These newcomers joined Indigenous peoples who have lived on this land for millennia, contributing to its defense, development, and cultural richness.

We must also recognize that Canada has not always lived up to its ideals. Mistakes have been made—against Indigenous peoples, immigrants, and many cultural and religious communities who call this country home. These injustices must not be forgotten. In fact, acknowledging them is the first step toward healing and reconciliation.

As Jody Wilson-Raybould, former Minister of Justice and Indigenous leader, reminds us:

“Canada, the provinces, and Canadians generally must be willing partners and support our individual healing and Nation-rebuilding agenda.” [globalcitizen.org]

This week, we marked Indigenous Veterans Day on November 8, a day that finally recognizes the thousands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis who served in Canada’s Armed Forces. From the World Wars to Afghanistan, Indigenous soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with non-Indigenous Canadians, defending a country that did not always defend them.

Unity in Diversity

Canada’s religious and cultural landscape is beautifully diverse. While 53.3% of Canadians identify as Christian, nearly 35% have no religious affiliation, and 12% follow faiths such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Indigenous spiritual traditions. This diversity is not a challenge—it is our greatest asset.

But with diversity comes responsibility. We must work toward a future where everyone is truly equal—not just in law, but in lived experience. Equality does not mean elevating one race, religion, culture, or identity above another. Doing so only deepens divides and fosters resentment. We’ve seen this before in our history, when white men were held in higher regard than women, Indigenous peoples, and people of colour. That imbalance was the source of some of our greatest national mistakes.

Today, we must be cautious not to repeat those errors under new banners. The rise of “woke” ideology and social experimentation, while often rooted in good intentions, can sometimes lead to unintended consequences—division, resentment, and societal tension. When one group’s rights are elevated above others, it creates imbalance and fosters ill feelings. True equality means respecting all people equally, not enforcing uniformity of thought or belief.

We must find a balance between individual rights and collective respect, where people are free to pursue their beliefs and identities without imposing them on others. Respect must be mutual. We used to be able to agree to disagree. Now, too often, disagreement leads to insults, name-calling, and exclusion. This is not the Canada we aspire to be.

As Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, said:

“Black history is not just for Black people—Black history is Canadian history.” [globalcitizen.org]

Rosemary Brown, the first Black woman elected to a provincial legislature, powerfully stated:

“We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through.” [globalcitizen.org]

Billy Diamond, former Grand Chief of the James Bay Cree, once said:

“Great obstacles make great leaders.” [globalcitizen.org]

Leadership That Builds, Not Divides

Our political leaders must recognize that the politics of division do not build us up—they tear us down. True leadership is about building bridges, not walls. It’s about listening, learning, and leading with empathy.

Pierre Trudeau, former Prime Minister, once said:

“There is no such thing as a model or ideal Canadian… A society which emphasizes uniformity is one which creates intolerance and hate… What the world should be seeking, and what in Canada we must continue to cherish, are not concepts of uniformity but human values: compassion, love, and understanding.” [globalcitizen.org]

Elizabeth May, former leader of the Green Party, reminds us:

“Those who take action have a disproportionate impact. The power of one is to move many.” [globalcitizen.org]

Rona Ambrose, former interim leader of the Conservative Party, said:

“We fought long and hard for the right to vote, for the right to participate in universities and the workforce, and the right to make our own choices.” [globalcitizen.org]

The Road Ahead

To move forward as a country that truly respects each other, we must build a foundation of understanding—understanding the rights and wrongs of our shared history, and allowing people to pursue their personal beliefs respectfully, without forcing their opinions or rights on others.

Canada is the sum of her parts. We are all better when we realize that and work toward a future where every voice is heard, every culture is respected, and every community is valued. It won’t be easy—things of value seldom are—but it is the only way forward.

Let’s choose unity. Let’s choose understanding. Let’s build a Canada that reflects the best of all of us.