Hub Podcasts Andrew Coyne on why Canadians shouldn't care if they are different from Americans
Jul 25, 2025
Andrew Coyne, a Globe and Mail columnist, reflects on Canada’s national identity, inspired by George Grant's Lament for a Nation. He argues against cultural protectionism and American influence, advocating for a proud, civic-minded Canadian nationalism based on shared values. Coyne discusses Canada's urgent housing crisis, emphasizing the need for new homes and critiquing Canadian content regulations. He highlights how unity stems from shared beliefs, noting Canada’s transformation and increasing diversity since the 1960s.
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Grant's Critique of Modernity
- George Grant's Lament for a Nation critiques modernity and sees America as the leading empire of it.
- The book's pessimism arises from the lack of solutions to escaping modern industrial society.
Focus on Shared Values Over Difference
- Canadian nationalism should focus on shared values, not difference from the U.S.
- Difference is overemphasized, obscuring bigger internal differences within each country.
Reject Difference Fetishism
- Avoid fetishizing difference as a basis for nationalism; it misleads and isolates.
- Aim to be the best liberal democratic country by embracing common principles, not just difference.
