The Magical Kingdom

Abracadabra

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host. Psalm 33:6

If magic is a “ concept used to describe a mode of rationality or way of thinking that looks to invisible forces to influence events ”, then one would be hard-pressed to argue that Canada has not become a magical kingdom. Contrast present-day, “elbows up” Canada with the pragmatic and confident nation that preceded it and one would think they were comparing apples with oranges. After all, some 150 years from its inception in 1867, Canada had managed to rise from its rural and colonial beginnings to weather world wars and ideological challenges to become a resource-rich, manufacturing powerhouse. The demarcation point between the G7 nation that punched well above its weight and the one that is now managing its decline as the price for being a good global citizen can be seen to be the magical incantation that framed Canada as “ the first post-national state ” – a state void of any core identity or cultural mainstream. Not to be outdone, other incantations would follow including “diversity is our strength”, “build back better” and “ duty to consult ”