COVID-19 cases are rising across Canada making for an uncertain time in Cape Breton. It will take the initiative of us all to protect our loved ones. I am sure most of you have heard the cliché that it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it is going to take the same attitude to protect our dear ones during this pandemic.
I’ve noticed some impressive Canadian’s showing solid leadership during this crisis. Let me acknowledge just a few who find themselves thrust into these unfamiliar roles during these uncertain times.
Early in the spread of COVID-19 across Canada, the first province to be hit hard was British Columbia. At the time not many knew the name of B.C.’s chief medical officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, who provided factual and thorough daily updates on the early advance of the virus in her province.
When the first case of COVID-19 was announced for a long-term care nursing home in Vancouver, Dr. Henry became somewhat emotional sharing that information with Canada. As a physician, she knew full well that event would most likely shift gears for her office from announcing confirmed cases of COVID-19 to announcing the first Canadian deaths from the pandemic. Yet she remains on the front lines for the people of B.C. as a believable and trusted source of pandemic information.
I watched a press conference a few nights back where Premier Jason Kenny was giving an update on COVID-19 spreading through Alberta. A province that was getting hit not once, not twice, but three times with crisis that were crushing his economy.
First was COVID-19 and second was the collapse of the global oil price. Third was a national government that allowed illegal rail blockades to continue for far too long throughout the country. Those blockades shut down provincial and international trade with little action from the prime minister to protect our now fragile national economy.
You could see the look of bewilderment on the face of Alberta’s premier as he stood at the podium. When it came time to provide an update on COVID-19, Alberta’s chief medical officer, Dr. Deena Hinshaw, stepped forward to speak. She was factual and composed. She answered the most difficult questions with a calming tone.
I watched the face of Premier Kenny as Dr. Hinshaw took question after question from reporters. His face emanated complete trust and admiration for her. You could tell that he took great comfort in having such a capable person on his provincial team in this time of crisis.
Living in Nova Scotia I listen as much as I can to COVID-19 updates provided by our premier and our chief medical officer, Dr. Robert Strang. Both have exemplified strong leadership during this crisis. Dr. Strang has been informative and directly answers questions put to him in a steadfast yet comforting tone.
You have to recognize the premier’s capable leadership during this pandemic despite your political striping. The premier’s strong tone chastising those Nova Scotians for continuing to gather in large numbers, hold parties and celebrate the crisis as holidays was completely warranted. You may not agree with his politics but he is demonstrating steady leadership for our province when we need it most. Strong leadership comforts me during times of great uncertainty.
In Ottawa, a COVID-19 relief package for Canadians impacted by the crisis valued at $107 billion was passed into legislation last week. I have never been a fan of the Trudeau government's decision to run structural budget deficits without ever planning to balance our federal budget. But I agree COVID-19 is a case where the government must deficit spend to support the economy and the lives of vulnerable Canadians.
Perhaps this crisis may teach our politicians to be more focused on better stewardship of the taxpayers' money in good times so we are more prepared to weather a financial crisis such as COVID-19 when it comes along.
Strong leadership comforts me during times of great uncertainty.
Having the COVID-19 crisis occur during a time when Canada is experiencing a federal minority government has been a benefit to Canadians. Just last week as relief legislation was being debated in the house of commons, we saw the opposition Conservative party hold the government in check to ensure they did not take advantage of the crisis to engage in tax and spend policies without the full approval of parliament. The Liberal’s should be ashamed of trying to take advantage of a crisis to sidestep the very purpose of parliament.
Our federal politicians did unanimously pass the relief legislation into law for the benefit of all Canadians. I think the words of Conservative party house leader, MP Candice Bergen upon passing the legislation summed up what most Canadians would hope will be the mission of our governments going forward.
She said and I quote: "If I could take off my partisan hat for just a moment, I think we all recognize what a difficult time this is, obviously, for the country, for the world and for the Canadian government, of any political stripe, this is a very heavy load to bear. And I'm glad that we can be here together, not always agreeing, but agreeing on one thing, and that is that we are putting the needs of our fellow Canadians first and foremost."
That is the type of government that works for me and makes me proud to be Canadian.
Adrian White is CEO of NNF Inc, Business Consultants. He resides Sydney & Baddeck and can be contacted at [email protected].
