Is Canada a Socialist Country?

So I’ve been getting tired of some our southern neighbours continually referring to Canada as a “Socialist” country…. always leaving the hint that that is a very bad thing.

I’m not a political scientist but I wanted to look up the definition of some of these terms we throw around like “socialism”, “communism” and “capitalism”. 

Below are the definitions as found in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. You may read through them now  or refer back to them as we discuss some of the terms below.

Socialism

1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2

a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property

b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

Marxist Communism

Capitalized

a : a doctrine based on revolutionary Marxian socialism and Marxism-Leninism that was the official ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

b : a totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state-owned means of production

c : a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state has withered away and economic goods are distributed equitably

Capitalism

: an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market

a way of organizing an economy so that the things that are used to make and transport products (such as land, oil, factories, ships, etc.) are owned by individual people and companies rather than by the government 

Looking at the definition of Socialism, Canada does not fit it very well – we indeed have private property , freedom of choice ext.. However, if you are using the term  “socialism” to mean caring for the poor, the weak, the marginalized, those in need generally – then we plead guilty!

Every government, including the U.S.A. has some form of this “socialism”. It only makes sense to help your own people. 

I don’t mean to wade into heated debates and I certainly do not mean to offend any of my American friends ( whom I love dearly) but I think the words we are using need some definition.

Canada is obviously not a communist country ( as some snide comments seem to suggest).  Canada is not even very “socialistic” compared to some of the European democracies such as Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

(Note: Wikipedia describes Canada as having a mixed economy - Mixed economy is an economic system in which both the state and private sector direct the economy, reflecting characteristics of both market economies and planned economies.^[1] Most mixed economies can be described as market economies with strong regulatory oversight, in addition to having a variety of government-sponsored aspects)

Canada is a parliamentary democracy with capitalism and a free market but also with an incredible health care and welfare system.

Is that system perfect?  No.

Does that system ever get taken advantage of? O yes.

But I thank God for it all the time.

For the fact that my friend whose daughter was born premature didn’t have to go bankrupt. (This friend is of  flag waving American heritage but admitted his deep appreciation for our health care system)

For my own family. For though I struggle daily with a mental illness and cannot work full time, I can still work part time and my wife can take an entire year off work to be with our newborn ( whose birth did not cost us thousands of dollars in hospital fees ).

I am deeply grateful to God and country for these things.  This is not about putting down any other countries ( including the U.S. who has been a massive supporter of Canada and without whom we would not be where we are) – its simply saying  let’s stop with the governmental extremism and work together a bit more.

Comprise, primarily, is not adjusting one’s principles, but adjusting one’s attitude.

On another note, a lot of people from the left and right like to quote Scripture in this regard – so lets take a look at that.

Both Jesus and the Biblical authors speak much on caring for the poor, the widows and orphans, the weak,  the sick, those in prison and  the “feeble minded”

( i.e. Mat 25:36, Luke 4:18, James 1:27)

Also in the book of Acts it speaks of the early church laying aside selfish gain and greed and “having all things common”.  (Acts 2, 5)

Please note this is hardly Marxist communism, with ruthless dictators and forced giving up of goods. This is voluntary. It is love in action. And I suppose for this broken world it is a bit too Utopian.

However The Bible also speaks firmly about personal responsibility.

As usual people can quote the Bible picking out only the verses they want to hear,  or they can do a wholehearted search of it, balancing one passage with another to see what this Book actually teaches in all its CONTEXT.

A perfect example on this topic ,  I find, are the 1^st and 2^nd  books of Thessalonians.

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
1Th 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Or as the less literal NLT puts it:

1Th 5:14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
1Th 5:15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Further on we read:

2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.

2Th 3:11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.

2Th 3:12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

In the end, my personal belief is that all human beings are created in the Image of God and are therefore of invaluable worth and should be treated as such.

It is also my opinion ( and it seems to be the consensus of most actual professionals) that the best and healthiest long term way to help a human being is to treat with both compassion AND accountability.