Dr. Lucy Kroka

The frivolity and celebration of last week's nine hundredth consecutive Wednesday evening at the Nicholsons', was succeeded this week by serious discussion of such topics as the nature of culture, the role of God in the nation's constitution, the rules governing the "non-official" language on the web and the distinction between patriotism and support of the government.

Guy Stanley introduced Dr. Lucie Kroha, Ph.D., Harvard educated professor of 20th century Italian literature at McGill University who believes firmly that literature should be read and examined psychoanalytically. Dr. Kroha proved to be an engaging debater who defends her positions with wit, wsidom and humour.

The evening ended with a comprehensive assessment by Jacques Clément of the American and Canadian economies and the direction in which we are headed.

But first, an historic decision was taken. In joyous support of Westmount's innovation, Wednesday evening June 23, 1999, the eve of the feast of Saint Jean Baptiste, all are encouraged to celebrate, weather permitting, with a picnic in beautiful Westmount Park, before retiring to the traditional seat of wisdom at Rosemount Avenue for the creative serious discussion that has become the hallmark of Wednesday Night at the Nicholsons'. click for a preview

The Role of God in the Nation's Constitution:

The Canadian constitution was established by Scottish settlers based on the organization of the Presbyterian church, but as immigrants arrive from various countries, a religion foreign to them has less relevance.

Linda Leith

Having selected a country to which to emigrate, how much can and should one reasonably expect to change it?

This question was not answered, except to note that the God represented in the Svend Robinson petition was brought to this country by immigrants, totally changing the notion of the supreme being held by the original inhabitants. Mr. Robinson's error was not in having presented the petition to eliminate all mention of God in the Constitution, but in not having first discussed it in caucus.

Is it the role of the homeland to defend national culture? Is culture geographic?

Culture is loosely defined. For some, it is fine arts, literature, theatre, music, architecture, for others it represents the sum total of values including political philosophy, economics, even "lifestyle". Debate on cultural issues is often clouded by different interpretations of the term.

In the first context, Canada Council and Canadian Heritage have exercised considerable public influence on the development of Canadian culture and identity, something that is achieved in the United States by various foundations for the arts. However, in the Canadian way, the Council appears to have attempted to avoid offending anyone by funding as many attention-grabbing stunts as serious cultural initiatives, with predictable results.

Karen Kain Gala des Étoiles Montréal

On the other hand, are Stratford (Ontario) or our own Gala des Etoiles Canadian cultural events, or Canadian contributions to the world's cultural pot? Is either any more or less deserving of funding according to one's definition? Is a cultural event better if its roots or performers are firmly Canadian? Although it was agreed that governments frequently use "culture" to promote political views, two opposing views of the nature of culture were presented and debated.

• Culture is unique, individual and personal, varying like fingerprints with each human being. Each of us is the product of his/her own antecedents, education, religious, demographic and familial. Any grouping by origin, geography or ethnicity is artificial.
• Culture is the sum of shared values. Imposition of decisions on native peoples by the Canadian or provincial governments without taking into account the cultural values of the natives, cannot succeed. Co-operation can only be attained by the recognition and sharing of each other's culture.

  (Editor's note: the absence of resolution of this issue by Wednesday Night's thinkers is not unique. The MPs who sit on the heritage committee have just submitted their report "A Sense of Place, a Sense of being" after three years of touring the country to examine "the evolving role of the federal government in the support of culture in Canada". They admit in the foreward to the report that "...we were no wiser in defining culture and cultural identity than we had been at the outset....it struck us ever more forcibly that culture expresses itself for and in people in many different ways and faces.")

The end of the war in Kosovo

Fernard Simard

Why are the Yugoslavs (Serbs) unhappy with NATO's attempt to rid them of Slobodan Milosovic?

Guy Stanley

Because our roots have a way of tugging at our hearts, even when we don't agree with or like our leaders and/or their policies.

When is support for one's government patriotism? When does it become blind, unmitigated nationalism? By the same token, when does opposition become destructive and disloyal to the nation state?

Hypothetically, if a rogue separatist group started a war of independence in Québec, would we feel it was right for a foreign country to bomb Ottawa? It may just be that what NATO did was wrong. On the other hand, perhaps Kosovo has created a spirit of intervention, a new European reality and, not incidentally, a new role for NATO.

Madame Beaudoin and virtual authority

The economy

Preliminary figures indicate a 4.5% increase. Most forecasters are predicting a 4% to 4.5% increase for the year. U.S. capacity is declining below 81% (Canada 83%). Employment is rising.

Jacques Clément

Unemployment is at 4.2%, wages up 3.9%. If this figure exceeds 4%, the economy will suffer. Consumer confidence is strong and consumption is up. The Americans are unlikely to raise interest rates by a quarter percent.

The United States is in a fiscal surplus - 65 billion dollars for the first six months. While paying down debt, the American trade deficit is rising.

The South American market is recovering, but in Asia there is much concern about China and Japan reportedly planning to devaluate their currencies in order to remain competitive. Deep problems persist in Russia with the current strength of the U.S. dollar; over six percent growth is anticipated in China this year in real terms.

Growth in the Untied States should decline next year, but there is still some reach in Canada.

Canada is not in a position to raise interest rates. Growth this year will be 3.5 to 4%, but unemployment remains high. The gross domestic product will increase by 3.5% to 4%. Inflation is moderate at 1% to 1.5%. Net trade surplus is rising by 2.5% to 3% per month (30% this year). Our trade deficit is down to 100 million dollars. Increasing trade surpluses should bolster the Canadian dollar. The Canadian dollar is not stronger because of disappointing commodity prices.

Newfoundland will grow by 5%, Québec by 2.5%. British Columbia was in recession. Both Alberta and British Columbia are expected to show a rise in Gross Domestic Product this year. There is growth in auto, housing and durable goods sectors.

The Canadian stock market continues to be undervalued. The current account should reach twenty-five billion dollars in reserve and U.S. and other currencies, twenty-three billion in foreign reserves.

CONCLUSION: We are enjoying the ninth consecutive year of economic growth in Canada and in the United States.

Susan Eyton-Jones

Notes by Herbert Bercovitz Edited by Diana Thébaud Nicholson

Sam Totah

click for Sam Totah's story

Harry Mayerovitch

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