With the dawn of the new year, and the emergence of new treatments and vaccines for COVID19, we have every reason to expect that 2021 will find us in a much better place than in 2020. And it is such a relief.
The past 10 months have been fraught with the diverse and urgent challenges brought on by the global pandemic, and we have seen markedly different responses in jurisdictions around the world. In some cases, the challenges of pandemic management have been exacerbated by increasing polarization and hyper-partisanship – factors that breed cynicism and impair governments’ abilities to create the social cohesion needed to inspire collective action for the collective good.
But here in British Columbia and in many places around the world, these months have also brought a generous sharing of new knowledge, built trust and inspired cross-partisan teamwork among traditional adversaries, and taught us patience, compassion and humility.
We have been humbled by the selfless work of our health-care and essential services workers and by the competence of our public health leaders who had have to adjust their direction and communication to us as our knowledge of COVID19 has deepened and our circumstances have changed.
We have been inspired by the cross-partisan teamwork demonstrated by our political leaders and are grateful for their prompt responses to rapidly shifting economic, health and social challenges. Business, cultural and faith organizations have also found creative new methods of connection, generously reaching out to engage us a community and keep us hopeful, positive and together.
We have been deeply moved by the humanity of those who house and care for our most vulnerable citizens – women and children fleeing abuse and others who face the challenges of poverty, mental health and addiction.
We know better, now, how to value the unheralded work of all the people upon whom we rely; those who go quietly about their daily tasks without fanfare or acknowledgement. Let us not forget them when this reality has passed from view, as it surely will.
This time has been difficult for all of us, but especially so for those who have lost family members and friends. We hold them in our hearts. Many others are facing job loss or financial difficulties in their businesses and personal lives, with all the attendant stress and anxiety this must bring. They will need our help to rebuild and we will be there for them.
The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the alternatives that lie before us, presenting us with some key questions.
What are the factors that inspire solidarity and a commitment to collective action and shared prosperity?
Or alternatively, can tip a society into division, increasing inequality and instability? How can we can strengthen civility, respect and good will across societal divides?
How can we support young people to navigate an uncertain future and equip them to lead our country in responding to the big challenges that lay ahead? What is the future we want for our country and the world?
Here in Canada, I believe that we are seeing a renewal of our commitment to the Canadian values of diversity and inclusion, tempered by a recognition that the equal society we aspire to is not a reality for many, and that we have work to do.
We better understand our mutual interdependence; the importance of acting collectively to address our challenges of economy, climate and society. There is a new openness to big changes and new ideas; ideas based not in old ideologies but in evidence and new knowledge, grounded in a values-based commitment to shared prosperity.
We’ve been given a gift, and that is the chance to look at our world with fresh eyes and reassess our priorities.
We have a chance to make our world better for all of us and, with some new perspectives and renewed societal values of compassion, generosity, mutual trust and responsibility, we surely will. •
Janet Austin is Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
