Victoria Times Colonist. June 10, 2021. The last sentence in the news release from the City of Victoria says it all. “[N]ow is a time where the City can take leadership and provide an opportunity for thoughtful reflection and examination of what it means to be Canadian in light of recent events and what we already know from our past.” A thoughtful, honest, and accurate consideration of our countries history is more than long overdue. The grand idea of this nation was economic exploitation. The history of the fur trade and of some of the practices of institutions such as the original Hudson’s Bay Company and The North West Company read like the tobacco industry opening up new markets. Just how ethical a nation are we, really? What better way to begin this self-examination than devote the national holiday of Canada Day, July 1, to this exercise? Especially this year. And locally, will the City of Nanaimo join with Victoria in re-purposing July 1 as calls increase across the country to cancel it entirely? [ARTICLE LINK]