MP Report: Canada steps forward when others need us

MP Report: Canada steps forward when others need us

Published 2:52 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2026

There are moments when a country is reminded of what it is made of.

We answered the call in two world wars. Canadians fought in Korea, stood with our allies through the Cold War, served in Afghanistan, helped defend peace and security around the world, and have been there for friends and partners in times of crisis.

In many of those moments, Canada stepped forward because others needed us. We stood with our allies, defended the values we shared, and took on responsibilities far beyond our borders because we believed it was the right thing to do.

This moment is different. Some of the forces reshaping our country are not of our choosing. They are challenges we must confront here at home, even as we continue to stand with our friends and allies abroad.

We are living through another consequential period in our history.

The world around us is changing quickly. Artificial intelligence and automation are transforming how we work, produce, and compete. A changing climate is forcing countries and communities to adapt. Long-standing assumptions about trade, security, and international relationships are being challenged. Competition between countries is intensifying and the global economy is shifting.

None of this is a reason to retreat or lose confidence.

Canada enters this moment with enormous advantages.

We are a G7 country, rich in natural resources, energy, agriculture, critical minerals, technology, and talent. We have three oceans, the longest coastline in the world, and a geography that connects us to Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Americas.

And we have something equally important: friends in every time zone.

Countries around the world want to trade with Canada, invest here, build things with us, and work alongside us. They know Canada as a reliable partner and a country that believes in democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity.

Our greatest strength has never been something buried underground or measured on a balance sheet.

Our foundation is strong. Indigenous peoples have shaped this land since time immemorial. French and English traditions helped build the country we know today, and generations of immigrants have come here, built lives, and added their own stories.

We are not a country that has always agreed. We certainly do not agree on everything today. A country as large and diverse as Canada never will.

But when something truly important is at stake, we have repeatedly demonstrated an ability to come together.

That is the most important thing we can do now.

We need to diversify our economy, build the infrastructure that connects us to new markets, protect our sovereignty, strengthen our defence, and make Canada a place where good ideas become great Canadian companies.

We also need to deepen our relationships with countries that share our values and interests. Canada has stood beside others when they needed us. Those friendships, built over generations, are part of our strength today.

But government alone cannot determine how Canada emerges from this period.

It will depend on whether we make buying Canadian a priority, whether we build and invest here, whether we support Canadian entrepreneurs, workers, artists, and innovators, and whether we refuse to allow regional, political, or cultural differences to become stronger than the country we share.

Every generation inherits Canada, and every generation has a duty to protect it.

When circumstances have demanded more from this country, Canadians have found a way to deliver more.

We have the people. We have the resources. We have the institutions. We have friends and allies around the world.

Most importantly, we have each other.

Canada has everything it needs to meet this moment.

Now it is our generation’s turn to stand.

MP Stephen FuhrKelowna, BCCanada