Complicating Canada

Glimpsed from abroad Canada often resonates a certain tepid benevolence. Against nationalist agendas it promises a multicultural alternative that is inclusive, flexible and tolerant and seems to produce literatures that echo the official multicultural politics. Against aggressive militarisms it claims to intervene globally through a discriminate logic of peace and democracy promotion. Against corporate medicine it posits a health care system, organized around social care and equality. Given these coordinates, it becomes easy to allow a vision of Canada’s “liveable” cities to starkly contrast with projections of a squalid urban US-America.