Ottawa Bashing

The elite of Ottawa and the rest of the country are 'mediocre' and wouldn't know a good idea if served one at Tim Hortons.

These and many other insults, ruminations and quick-fix solutions to long-standing problems are contained in Mr. Saul's newest book, A Fair Country: Telling Truths About Canada. Mr. Saul is often described as one of the leading intellectuals of Canada, in large part because of his internationally celebrated books commenting on contemporary society.

Outside Canada, Mr. Saul is held in high esteem in many European countries, especially France.

The main thesis of A Fair Country, published by Viking Canada, is that Canada is really a "Métis civilization." Our natural inclinations, whether in family life, art or military adventures, are to do things the "aboriginal" way, the homegrown way, but our elites always feel they have to import ideas from Britain, France, the United States or elsewhere. Consequently, we have become a colonial-minded country of anti-intellectual mediocrity.