Ideas How Canadian nationalism died
Jun 6, 2025
In this engaging discussion, guests Brian Hastie, a PhD student reviving George Grant's ideas, George Elliot Clark, a poet and admirer of Grant's work, Roberta Bayer, a professor familiar with Grant's interpretations of Christianity, and Lisa McCullough, a philosopher specializing in Simone Weil, dive deep into Canadian nationalism. They explore Grant's critique of Canada's relationship with the U.S., the relevance of his work today, and the philosophical tensions between individualism and collective good. They also reflect on how modern liberalism shapes Canadian identity amidst evolving societal values.
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Grant's Canadian Nationalism Lament
- George Grant lamented Canadian nationalism dying as Canada integrated with the U.S., losing its collective common good.
- He saw Canada previously committed to restraint and a shared vision of the good, tied to British conservatism.
Hastie's Accidental Discovery
- Brian Hastie discovered George Grant's Lament for a Nation by chance in a bookstore.
- He found Grant unique for philosophically addressing Canadian identity and modern life's challenges.
Canada Between UK and US
- Grant contrasted Canada’s British ties emphasizing restraint and collective good with America’s radical individualism and break from tradition.
- He argued Canada's integration with the U.S. caused it to abandon its distinct cultural conservatism.