Brookman: You cannot put a dollar value on patriotism

Seriously, which one of us could ever say, “I don’t want to be a Canadian.” Who among us would truly like to see our Canadian flag removed from flagpoles for the last time, or lose the experience of crossing a border almost anywhere in the world and have the customs person say, “Oh, you’re Canadian, just go ahead.”

As Canadians, we have something so incredibly special that it is too easy to forget just what that means for millions who must look at us with envy.

Listening to the separatists, I cannot help but think of the many cartoons showing a little boy or girl, suitcase packed with a shirt, a truck or a doll, walking down the sidewalk to leave home “forever.” When Mom waves goodbye, reality hits, the bravado ends, and they come back to the front door, happy that their plan has ended.

One man at a recent presentation I attended said, “I absolutely do not want to separate, but I do not want the status quo.” That is the reality.

Alberta, with a population of more than five million, is no longer a prairie expanse worrying about drought and hail. Alberta is an economic juggernaut that deserves a bigger voice at the table, and there is no dispute about that.

Nonetheless, Alberta is still just one piece in a national mosaic that is the aspiration of many nations, and Canadians’ ability to work together — to resolve disputes and to travel from sea to sea to sea without leaving our own country — is something to be treasured, and certainly not trifled with.

“I no longer want to be a Canadian.” Even saying those words feels offensive, like saying, “I don’t want to be part of my family” or “I will never speak to my brothers and sisters again.”

We are emotional creatures. We understand sadness, happiness, loneliness and joy. National pride does not come from an audit committee or a ledger. You cannot put a dollar value on the feeling of hearing our national anthem, especially in a foreign land.

Several years ago, I attended a massive hotel opening in San Diego. The ceremony included a wonderful American navy band, and before the ribbon-cutting, they played the Mexican national anthem and then O Canada. I am not ashamed to say that I had tears in my eyes as that music rang out over the ocean.

There is no price tag on the pride of being Canadian.

Whoever started this discussion needs to be taken out to the woodshed. You don’t tear apart something amazing; you don’t whine and pout because you are not getting your own way. None of this separation discussion has made sense to me, especially when Alberta has been so blessed and Albertans are so privileged.

As I write this, we are days away from the referendum vote. It is critical that your voice be heard. Those of us who are proud and committed Canadians must be heard above the noise. The “radicals,” as I call them, will stand in the rain and snow to get their way; but solid Canadians must be just as dedicated and just as hardy.

It could be a long wait to vote; you must wait anyway. It could be a cold day when you vote; bundle up and wait anyway.

The future of one of the greatest nations in the world is part of this challenge. Since my youngest days, I have heard the words of my parents telling me the importance of voting, but this time, on Monday, it is as important as it has ever been.

This is about our country; our beloved Canada.

George H. Brookman is chairman and company ambassador of West Canadian Digital.