Where has all the trust gone? It appears Canadians are an increasingly distrusting populace, particularly suspicious of politicians and corporations – two of the most powerful human creations.
A recent survey, Transparency International's ‘Global Corruption Barometer', claims more than 60 per cent of Canadians think political parties and politicians are affected by corruption, while 54 per cent of those interviewed said that governments are either “entirely” or “to a large extent” run by a few big entities acting in their own best interests.
Where is this all coming from?
Well, the recent senate scandal can only be part of the perceived corruption. However, it most certainly helped bump up the number of Canadians who believe that the level of corruption in Canada has increased in the past two years to 53 per cent of respondents.
Luckily though, it's not all bad. Canada is amongst the countries with the lowest number of bribes being paid, according to the survey, which interviewed 114,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 Canadians.
Only 3 per cent of Canadians respondents reported paying a bribe, compared to Australia at only 1 per cent and the United States at 7 per cent. In Sierra Leone, at the other end of the spectrum, 84 per cent of respondents admitted to paying a bribe.
So, the survey implies Canadians don't demand or pay bribes as frequently as others. But bribes are only one aspect of corruption.
Our governments have actively censored scientists, covertly collected personal information, obstructed parliament and taken part in election fraud, using robocalls and other measures to alter or eliminate voting, and ultimately erode democracy in Canada.
We are told that the economy, not the people or the environment we live in, is the most important factor in the health of a country.
How can we trust someone or something that tells us money is more important than life?
How can we trust politicians when they are more interested in extolling the ideals of the government to their constituents, rather than representing the concerns of their constituents to the government?
What can we take from this? Certainly, things must change. And they will. They always do.
Whether we chose to go further down a path towards allowing and accepting a corruption, or we stand up for each other and ourselves against corruption, will determine the changes that are just beyond the horizon.
