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The CIW: Compass and lens for Canadians' shared destiny (Barrie Examiner)

6/25/2009 3:22:19 PM

In many ways, it feels as though my work as a community organizer has come full circle. I began in the early 1990s -- right in the thick of a major recession. Now I find myself entering what appears to be something far more serious, not to mention unnerving, largely because the American economy is in shambles.

The question that lingers in the back of my mind, as I am sure it does for many Canadians, is: who is it that will bear the brunt of the suffering as a result of this market meltdown? The poor and most vulnerable as it was through the better part of the 1990s?

At this most critical juncture in Canadian history, when about the only thing that remains certain is that virtually everything we hold near and dear will be up for grabs, I take heart at the recent
announcement of the Institute of Wellbeing, with the Honourable Roy J. Romanow as its chair.

I also take pride in the fact that the Institute is rooted in consensus Canadian values: fairness, diversity, equity, inclusion, health, safety, economic security, democracy and sustainability. Its top priority is the development of a Canadian Index of Wellbeing (CIW) through which it will report on trends and changes in areas that are vital to our quality of life - our standard of living, our health, the vitality of our communities, our education, the way we use our time, our participation in the democratic process, the state of our arts, culture and recreation, and the quality of our environment.

The CIW is far more than a measurement tool. It will serve as a moral compass -- prompting all Canadians to enter deeper and respectful conversations about how we can recommit to core Canadian values; all the while mindful of the need for these values to be translated into responsive public policies, along with the adequate provision of resources. No sense pussy footing around this latter point as for all intents and purposes budget is policy.

Read the full article...

Gary Machan

The Barrie Examiner

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