John Ralston Saul, “A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada”, The Commentary, 2008/10/15 June 18, 2009
Posted by daviding in Talk Audio Download.Tags: fair country, john ralston saul, metis
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Although Canadian students learn about the country being formed by the English and the French, Saul suggests that the culture goes back deeper to the Metis.
In his new book, A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada, the author and essayist John Ralston Saul expounds on three radical truths about Canada.
That first, we are a Métis civilisation.
Secondly, Peace, Order and Good Government has always been an interloper in Canada.
And thirdly, the elite doesn’t identify with Canada, thus they don’t wish to govern the country.
We’ll try our best in the time we have with Mr. Saul to discuss these three truths and more.
John Ralston Saul’s previous books, Voltaire’s Bastards, The Unconscious Civilization, On Equilibrium, and Reflections of a Siamese Twin, were prize winners and remain oft-discussed.
He is considered one of the leading thinkers on political and economic thought, not just here but abroad. Time has declared him a ‘prophet.’ He is also the General Editor of the Penguin Extraordinary Canadians project. It is an ambitious and already stimulating series of books on important Canadian figures.
Interview: John Ralston Saul, On the Line with Joseph Planta (thecommentary.ca)
Dear Mr Saul: I heard a commentary on your recent book about Canada’s attitude towards the Indians and Esquimaux.
I felt such a sense of pleasure and relief, as if I had unconsiously been feeling guilty all along about our uncomfortable relationship with the aboriginal races. It was good to hear you say that it would always be a difficult position to take, that is ,honouring them as the original owners of the land. Because I know how right you are in that. But even bringing this topic out for discussion is a good start. And having your wise approach is an
excellent way to begin.
I would like to see Indian flags or decorations put up with our Maple Leaf flag for Canada Day. Even the red and black sun traditional banner
that I have seen at some time. Of course there is so much regulation and
tradition involved with flags, it not a good place to start. But it looks
hopeful in my mind’s eye. Pay Morrisey, Mississauga Ont