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Are we witnessing a progression from multiculturalism, proclaimed by Pierre Trudeau about 45 years ago, to Canada as “the greatest hotel in the world,” according to author Yann Martel? I doubt Canadians would have been as welcoming if they thought that Canada’s identity would disappear, along with our existence as a nation state. Of course, that has not happened, but our PM apparently believes it has, and welcomes it.

He is also reflecting a reverence for cultural and moral relativism, and multilateralism, the “progressive” perspective that our values are no better than anyone else’s. That we must not denigrate other customs, even those incompatible to beliefs otherwise unassailable in today’s politically correct environment. That we are part of a bigger world and it is a higher calling to show fealty to the United Nations and other multilateral bodies. Without a core identity, Canada has apparently evolved as the first country to partake in the global community as a non-state actor without the national baggage that constrains countries to their narrow interests, rather than the global interest, whatever that is and who defines it.

That may help secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council. The question will be at what financial and political cost? The European Union’s attempt to achieve a supranational vision in Europe has crashed on the shores of Brexit, a rejection that reflects profound resentment of intrusion in citizens’ lives by unelected foreign bureaucrats.