Don’t listen to spreadsheet patriots

Like many of you, I raised a quizzical eyebrow reading “51st state of mind,” Michael Kennedy’s recent opinion article in The Coast. His arguments for Nova Scotia’s exit from confederation are purely financial, an exercise in citing percentages and decimal points that, in my opinion, neglects the people at the heart of the issue: Nova Scotians.

Donald Trump isn’t threatening tariffs or annexation to improve the lives of Canadians—he’s looking to swindle us using sales ploys from his own money-grubbing memoir. Now, there’s no denying that life has become more expensive for Nova Scotians. But to follow Kennedy’s suggestion and swear allegiance to a foreign power when threatened is to fold at the feet of a bully while hoping the grass is greener across the border.

Kennedy argues avoiding tariffs, lower federal taxes and more moderately priced necessities (be it beer or electronics) are some of the benefits of the American union. He is working on the premise that taxes are bad. But higher taxes are what helps our government pay for roads, hospitals and welfare programs. They also ensure equal access to services, which can’t be said for all Americans. Taxes are part of the reason, when I was incapacitated with a serious head injury, that I was covered through our universal healthcare program and not saddled with hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical bills. Taxes off-set the cost of the drugs I was prescribed during my recovery. And taxes ensured that the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia was in place to help me through my rehabilitation process. I can’t imagine living in a country that didn’t provide these supports to its citizens.

Another point missing from Kennedy’s argument is about the freedom of choice. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects our right to practice our religions without persecution, to be treated with the same respect regardless of our race, sex or orientation, to speak our minds—as Kennedy has—in a free and democratic society. Although not a Charter right, we can also choose to have an abortion. We can choose medically assisted death. We can, in many ways, be the captains of our own destiny. These are freedoms available within Canadian society and should not be taken for granted.

And Nova Scotia is very much an important part of Canada. To leave at this juncture would be to abandon a journey this province helped start in 1867, to jettison the principles of community and togetherness which has bound together 40 million people spread from Cape Spear to Vancouver Island. I’d argue it’s this idea of community that defines Canada from its southerly neighbour. This is especially true in Atlantic Canada and why I believe, according to a Leger poll conducted in December, 90 percent of the region was against the idea of becoming the 51st state. We have a distinct sense of belonging on our craggy coast.

It’s easy to look at a spreadsheet and come to the conclusion that Nova Scotia might get a better deal elsewhere. However, it’s also important to recognize the services and freedoms we have, and that they should be accessible not only by the wealthy but by all members of our society. There’s certainly work to be done but together, in a united Canada, Nova Scotians can continue to build a better tomorrow for everyone.

I like to think that Canada is the collective blanket, whether you live in Halifax or Yellowknife, we wrap ourselves in. To be Canadian, and therefore Nova Scotian, is to make room for everyone in society. I like that idea, even if it’s not one that can be measured in dollars and cents.

We’ve already been dealt a pretty good hand. Don’t fall for a farce of a deal.

Josh Healey is a freelance journalist based in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. His words have appeared in the Chronicle-Herald, St. John’s Telegram, Atlantic Business Magazine and more.

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