Canada needs national goals

From an administrative perspective, Canada as a nation has been generally in a “state of drift.” With the exception of the anti‐inflation program, efforts made by the government during recent years have provided little in the way of specific direction. For example, The Way Ahead, a discussion paper on the future of Canada, fails to outline clearly “the economic and social directions the government intends to take after controls end” or to provide definitive “principles and strategies.” Passing references are made to national unity, balanced growth without inflation, individual freedom and opportunity, and the government's commitment to its fundamental social goals. Implicitly, these “goals” are for “a society in which all Canadians can develop their potential to the fullest degree possible, a society in which justice, compassion, tolerance and understanding lead to a strong and united Canada, a society based upon individual initiative and marked by personal freedom.”