In his well-known short novel, Animal Farm, George Orwell described the gradual transformation of a collective society (an imaginary farm taken over and run by the animals who were previously the property of Farmer Jones). The book is an allegory showing how utopian ideals (specifically referring to those touted by advocates of communism) can be altered over time to a completely different set of standards. This theme is carried to its logical conclusion when the simple phrase, “All animals are equal,” is modified to read, “All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.”

That truth about the deceitfulness of human nature and its tendency to compromise principles for personal gain—especially when granted authoritarian power—is manifest dramatically in our day. In 2020, we were assured that “We’re all in this together,” and we heard repeatedly the demands (phrased as appeals) to make sacrifices for the greater good, to “flatten the curve” and to “get through this together.”

What actually happened over the two years that followed was that many hardworking, taxpaying Canadians lost their jobs. Others had their hours shortened. Some small business owners were forced to close, drastically shrink their businesses or to take out operating loans just to survive. All this against a backdrop of uncertainty and restrictive measures. Carbon taxes increased. The price of everything delivered by truck, ship or plane naturally followed, since all those modes of transportation consume carbon-based fuels and are subject to carbon taxes. Farmers (upon whom we all rely for food) were also hit with increased fuel and fertilizer costs. Interest rates went up (and continue to rise), affecting builders and home buyers. How about the political elite, those making decisions for all the rest of us? Yes, the ones who repeatedly kept telling us that “we’re all in this together.”

Top government officials not only were able to sail through this with no worries about job security; few, if any, lost their jobs (except for those terminated without EI for refusing to comply with vaccine mandates). Nor were there any pay cuts in the federal service; in many cases government bureaucrats received raises and bonuses. For what? Canada’s healthcare system was crumbling, prices were soaring and inflation was on the rise. Bonuses are generally given as a reward for hard work and for accomplishing difficult and worthwhile goals, not for supervising the destruction of the economy.

In April 2021, Members of Parliament gave themselves and all senators (by default) a pay increase of $3,200 (to add to the $182,656 they were already making) and never batted an eye. Prime Minister Trudeau’s salary of $365,200 went up by an additional $6,400. This doesn’t seem like the actions of responsible elected representatives seeking to lead by example, to make sacrifices and to show that “we’re all in this together.”

And now we’re told that the Public Service Alliance Canada—the main union representing federal employees—wants a 14% pay raise over the next three years. They say they’ll strike if they don’t get it. Where’s their reality check? Where’s the spirit of sacrifice and “we’re all in this together”? But I guess if they’re looking to our MPs and the PM for inspiration, they’re only following in their footsteps.

In the CHP, we do realize that there is a need for personal sacrifice. Our nation is in deep trouble, both economically and morally. Only when Canada’s leaders and the folks who vote them in recognize our need for God’s direction and help will we be able to right the ship.

If you would like to be part of the solution, join CHP today.