Canada, our neighbor to the north, is a delightfully curious place. It is a land of vast distances and rich natural resources. It closely resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and affluent living standards. Economically and technologically the nation has developed in parallel with the US. Nearly 90% of Canadians live within 200 km of the border with the United States. It is one of the few economies of the world that has reached purchasing power parity of more than $1 trillion. Despite striking similarities with the US, however, Canada (which is 42% Roman Catholic and 23% Protestant) is much more liberal in its social attitudes and corresponding public undertakings. Women’s rights, equality of citizens, public health care, gun control, foreign aid, and other social programs are far more entrenched than they are in the US. Canada has much to be proud of in this regard, and the country evokes envy among many liberals in the US. Today, Canada took another huge step forward: the Senate approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriages, following a similar decision by the lower house of parliament last month. When the bill is signed into law by the Governor-General (a mere formality), Canada will become the fourth country in the world to allow gay marriage. If the US Supreme Court and Congress (aided by “mainstream” Democrats) keep moving to the right, perhaps the rest of us will seriously have to consider moving to the north.
