is a PhD candidate in Sociology at
While vaccines have brought the end of the COVID-19 pandemic into view, most of Canada is still
Meanwhile, Atlantic Canada鈥檚 COVID-19 response has been a , often attributed to its , as well as what Dr. Robert Strang, Nova Scotia鈥檚 chief medical officer, has called the region鈥檚 鈥溾�� 鈥� the willingness of its people to follow directives and make sacrifices for the common good.
These two factors are often used to argue that Atlantic Canada is a unique case 鈥� that it would be unfeasible to replicate the region鈥檚 success elsewhere. And yet this is evidently untrue, as demonstrated by , including China, Vietnam, Singapore and Australia.
The third factor in Atlantic Canada鈥檚 success, therefore, is the one most worthy of attention, as it holds the key for reproducing the region鈥檚 success in other parts of Canada. This factor is 鈥� simply put 鈥� political will. Provincial governments in Atlantic Canada have consistently enacted measures to prevent severe illness and death, protecting human lives over short-term business interests.
Citizen goodwill abounds
The region鈥檚 collective ethic would be insufficient without the political will and leadership to transform goodwill 鈥� and good science 鈥� into clear, effective policy. But goodwill isn鈥檛 unique to Atlantic Canada 鈥� there鈥檚 been no shortage of it elsewhere in Canada, too. Across the country, people have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to make personal sacrifices and comply with public health measures.
National polls have consistently found that to of COVID-19, even in the face of conflicting messages.
These measures have often been framed by the media as politically divisive, with playing a prominent role in public discourse. But an absence of consensus .
By capturing mainstream media attention and using social media to spread their messages, small numbers of objectors can have an outsized influence on public discourse. This is a strategy used by activists of all stripes, with diverse motives, to achieve goals that may or may not align with the public interest.
But consensus is not required for democratic governments to protect public health with broad support, using reliable information. Inaction by governments 鈥� or inconsistent action, 鈥� in the face of clear majorities reflects the interests of those governments, not the ethics of the people.
Capitalizing on dissent
Highlighting dissent and perpetuating the illusion of polarization benefits governments that are not motivated to act on the needs and wishes of the public. Likewise, crediting success stories like Atlantic Canada鈥檚 to unique regional characteristics undermines the ample care and concern for others that is evident in other regions, too.
Even in , lockdowns and travel restrictions have . But the proof is in the pudding: objections lessened as the region saw positive outcomes.
Many Canadians are recognizing the high cost of government inaction. For example, as a result of inadequate measures to control the spread of COVID-19 in the province. Too often, ongoing illness and death from COVID-19 are painted as the cost of doing business and .
These messages sow uncertainty. They also ignore the fact that countries that eliminate COVID-19 have been able to return to normal economic activity, .
Political will, not 鈥榗ollective ethic鈥�
There are many lessons to be learned from Atlantic Canada鈥檚 COVID-19 success story. But there鈥檚 one to reject, too: the idea that Atlantic Canada鈥檚 success is due to a quality unique to the region, its communities and public life.
Much more can be gained by recognizing how the provincial governments in Atlantic Canada acted on this collective ethic, implementing tangible, life-saving measures. Such action is within the purview of all democratic governments 鈥� not only in response to the pandemic, but to multiple political, economic and environmental challenges that threaten the well-being of communities.
There is often more agreement on these issues than the public realizes. We must recognize that the prevalence of polarization and dissent is frequently overblown, shielding politicians from accountability to public needs and demands.
Until we do, politicians will continue to attribute Atlantic Canada鈥檚 success to its collective ethic, rather than its political will 鈥� as the battle against COVID-19 rages on in the rest of the country.
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