Andrew Petter: BC can be a beacon against polarizing politics

.

Political polarization is tearing at the social fabric of the US and other Western democracies and aggravating global economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the dire consequences of climate change.

.

In BC, things look a little different. While we are not immune from the world beyond our borders, the polarization that has characterized the political culture of this province in the past is giving way to a growing recognition that economic growth, social justice and environmental health can be mutually reinforcing goals. This convergence, seen across a variety of political challenges, offers a unique opportunity to forge a positive and progressive realignment of our politics.

Consider the labor shortage that is affecting everything from travel to health care. Boosting labor supply is an urgent economic priority that calls on governments to reduce barriers to labor participation by increasing support for affordable childcare, expanding housing supply and providing stronger protections in the workplace. It also speaks to the need to invest in post-secondary education to develop the talent needed to fill new jobs and drive innovation. On these issues, BC’s business, labor, and social justice communities have common interests that provide the foundation for a shared agenda for meaningful change.

.

The same applies to climate action. In BC, there is widespread recognition of the need to accelerate decarbonization initiatives. As a result, sales of electric vehicles are increasing, homes are switching to high-efficiency heating systems, and governments and companies are investing heavily in environmental technologies and other value-added technologies, such as hydrogen, quantum, agritech, and wood. mass.

There is also broad agreement that reconciliation with indigenous peoples is both an economic and a social imperative. First Nations resource sharing agreements with governments and partnerships with businesses are among the many initiatives that are creating opportunity and wealth for indigenous and non-indigenous communities. For example, the Senakw housing development in the heart of Vancouver is generating income and employment for the Squamish Nation and thousands of new homes for families.

.

In addition to policy convergence on economic, social, and environmental issues, BC benefits from a high degree of consensus on cultural issues that are sources of conflict in many other places. LBGTQ+ and minority rights, reproductive choice, and anti-racism efforts are not seriously questioned in the mainstream political debate. British Columbians rightly take pride in a society that, though far from perfect, aspires to equality and values ​​pluralism. This generates a sense of shared purpose that is at the heart of socially cohesive and economically productive societies.

Some may protest that I am too optimistic. If we have learned anything in recent years, it is that the course of social and economic development is volatile. The rise of right-wing populism has ended the end-of-history triumphalism that only a few years ago dominated Western democratic discourse. In BC, as elsewhere, a reactionary urge lurks just below the surface, fueled by economic inequality and democratic decline.

.

I agree that we dare not take progress for granted. We must be vigilant in defense of our pluralistic society and its democratic institutions. We need our political leaders to resist the temptation to promote harmful divisions and instead focus on forging a political culture that reconciles fundamental commitments to social justice and environmental sustainability with strong support for economic dynamism and innovation.

This will not be easy. Big issues remain, from health policy to resource extraction, that have the potential to push us back into our political corners. Addressing these challenges requires a commitment that fosters trust in our democratic institutions, builds bridges between peoples and cultures, and is open to different perspectives and new ideas, all of which the destructive politics of polarization deny.

.

In a world facing the specters of a climate emergency, growing inequality, and rising authoritarianism, this is not a political project confined to one province or country. But if we can get it right in BC, we can help point the way to a better, more prosperous and just future for others and ourselves.

Andrew Petter is President Emeritus of Simon Fraser University and a former BC Cabinet Minister.