Introducing the "why I'm a conservative" series
Learn why a diverse group of Canadians identify as conservatives, in their own words.
It has become clear that the majority of our country’s news media outlets do not reflect a true diversity of perspectives. For Canadians who identify as conservative, this can be especially frustrating. There are many conservatives from different walks of life, yet minority groups are regularly misrepresented as homogenous, liberal communities.
In an effort to spotlight Canada’s true diversity of thought, this newsletter is launching a new series titled “why I’m a conservative.” Our goal is to show the broad range of ideas and values that lead Canadians of different generations to conservative politics.
This series will intentionally spell “conservative” with a lower-case letter c, because there is a difference between being a movement conservative and a partisan conservative. Many Canadians have conservative views, but that doesn’t mean they identify with conservative political parties.
In this series, we will publish statements from Canadians explaining why they identify as conservatives, in their own words. This isn’t about everybody agreeing with one another. Certainly, there are important disagreements between conservatives. But this is a good faith effort to learn why conservatives believe what they do.
Note: If you’d like to contribute your own perspective, please contact me at jamil@canadastrongandfree.network. I would like to hear from you!
“Why I’m a conservative…”
The first installment of the series features four perspectives from conservatives in their twenties and thirties.
Noah Jarvis is a Toronto-area university student and reporter for True North. Follow him on Twitter. Here’s why Noah says he’s a conservative:
I am a conservative because I believe in the Canadian project and conserving Canada by the safeguarding of liberty and policies that have empowered prosperity and peace in this great country. I believe in conservative values, as the importance of hard work and valuing the wisdom of the past have guided my understanding of the world and guided me through my life's hardships. I believe in the dream of a great Canada, the dream pursued by John A. Macdonald and Wilfred Laurier, that promises a unified country working together through compromise to build a greater future.
It is through a conservative approach to economics and social life that we can achieve that greater future.
Bryn Tenasco-Teixeira is a nursing student and parliamentary assistant. She is Algonquin from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Here’s why Bryn says she’s a conservative:
“I am Conservative because as an Indigenous Canadian, I believe in a smaller federal government that promotes community autonomy.”
Samuel Sey is a blogger at SlowToWrite.com. Follow him on Twitter. Here’s why Samuel says he’s a conservative:
I’m a conservative because I’m a Christian. Christian theology makes me conservative politically. Human rights and freedom stems from Christian teachings about humanity being made in the image of God.
Which is why our nation’s official motto (“A mari usque ad mare”) is based on Psalm 72:8: “[God] shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”
Jonathan Bradley is a recent university graduate and current Alberta Reporter for the Western Standard. Follow him on Twitter. Here’s why Jonathan says he’s a conservative:
I am a conservative because I believe in merit, fairness, and equality (MFE).
I happened to stumble across the acronym MFE while reporting on Blueprint for Canada for the Western Standard. Conservatives should emphasize MFE because it has similar principles to them.
Conservatives believe in merit because they prioritize goodness and worthiness, especially so when it comes to praise and rewards. They believe the most talented should be the ones who receive jobs, spots in schools, and awards.
Emphasizing merit means acknowledging grit. Conservatives know having passion and perseverance for long-term goals leads to success.
Conservatives support fairness because they let all ideas be heard, including those which they object to. The Coddling of the American Mind authors Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt would consider fairness common humanity identity politics.
Conservatives are for equality because they believe in equal opportunities. They understand there might be reasons beyond discrimination as to why people are unsuccessful.
Discrimination and Disparities author Thomas Sowell embodies this approach best, asking why people should expect equal outcomes among strangers when this does not happen among siblings. Conservatives are open to offering resources to the most vulnerable people, but they understand success comes from persistence.
While it might sound paradoxical, modern conservatism and MFE are rooted in liberalism. Conservatives and MFE supporters value liberal principles such as freedom of expression, due process, and Lockean tolerance.
These ideologies prioritize individualism. They recognize people themselves, with a little assistance from the collective, are capable of great achievements.
People are the masters of their own fates. They control their own destinies.
Thank you Jamil. I’m very tired of all the vile names Conservatives have been called! Let’s show the world we are good, kind, hard working people. Live and let live.
Great books listed by Bradley. Coddling are my teachers gifts at the end of year. Hint hint. Sowell is also a genius.