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I recently read John Ralston Saul's book "Reflections of a Siamese Twin" in which several illuminating points were raised. I think that they will add a valuable dimension to the discussions we are going through to tackle the systematic improvements needed to achieve a sustainable future.
Canada was founded on a "strange, almost off-the-wall marriage" of public and private forces, combined to develop "non-conforming ideas in a marginal geography with a small population".
No wonder the fathers of our Canadian partnership, Reformists Robert Baldwin and Louis-Hippolyte LaFontaine, expressed this concept of power through responsible democracy. Success in a geography dominated by a natural vacuum required an equally powerful and mutually supportive blend of individual and public initiative; it still does. For Canada's future to be sustainable, we need to enhance the greatness in our individual and public initiatives. Adding onto this partnership is our national ability to innovate, borne out of geographic necessity.
Canada's economic history has been based on the non-value added selling of our natural resources; to date we have been the ghetto economy of the G7; the poverty stricken northern neighbour of the world's most powerful economy. To maintain our "enviable" position, we have had to learn how to juggle the continually changing three variables of sustainability: ecology, society and economy. We must remain vigilant in finding the balance between these three criteria, even in the details of finding responsible, sustainable practices for life cycle product management. Despite the trial and errors we have faced over the last decade I believe that Canada's unique democracy, in an ecologically determined economy, will enable us to find the right balance. And we should give ourselves credit for facing this challenge - after all, others do. Canada has long been recognized as being an origin for the international environmental movement. It's a logical progression from our beginnings, and a sustainable platform to build our future on.
These are my thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Doug Symington is Director of Public Affairs for Consumers Glass.
He is available at 416-232-3214, by fax at 416-232-3274, or e-mail: dsymingt@consumersglass.com
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