The Vanderhaeghe Prophesy

I was reading this week’s issue of Maclean’s Magazine and came across an article on Noah Richler’s (Modecai’s son) new book, This is My Country, What’s Yours?. For the book, Richler traveled across the country, interviewing 100 Canadian writers to create a “literary atlas” of Canada.

Among the authors that Richler interviewed is Saskatchewan’s own, Governor General’s Medal-winning Guy Vanderhaeghe. When asked why so much “great historical fiction has come out of Saskatchewan,” he replied: “Because we’ve got no f--cking future, that’s why.”

When I read Vanderhaeghe’s comments, my initial reaction was uncharacteristically taciturn. Then I wondered: do I agree with his statement? During the five years that I lived outside Saskatchewan, I spent considerable time and energy defending Saskatchewan as a great place to live with a formidable future. However, given my humdrum reaction to the obvious slight at the province, I’ve realized that I, like so many Saskatchewanians (perhaps Vanderhaeghe included) have already, may be falling victim to accepting mediocrity and not expecting more out of the province.

Have I really become disillusioned with the state of our province? Rather than holding out for better times ahead if the government changes, have I written off the possibility that even if the people if the people of Saskatchewan come to their senses and toss out Calvert and Company, there is just too much lost time to make up; so much so that we never could? Do I feel that the socialism that is so ingrained in our culture too much to overcome?

If my attitude has changed, it is not difficult to understand why. After traveling back to Calgary for the Labour Day long weekend and being reminded of the prosperity that abounds there, it is depressing for a young person to return to this slow and seemingly uninspired province. Sadly, years of socialist rule has crippled Saskatchewan’s ability to compete with the kind of entrepreneurial voracity that exists in Alberta. It is this edge that our neighbour to the West has over us that could interminably inhibit our potential growth unless a fundamental culture shift takes place in Saskatchewan; even the parts that profess to be unwaveringly supportive of free enterprise are inherently socialist. I fear that unless this radical shift happens, Mr. Vanderhaeghe’s prediction is destined for consummation. Sadly, at this point it seems more likely than not.