I am from a small Island that could be said to act as a microcosm for things happening on a larger world stage. We are a humble province made up of mostly fisherman and farmers (we also have doctors, merchants, professors, scientists, and all other “big city” professions much to the disbelief of some city slicker big wigs, but this is more to illustrate a point). We pride ourselves on being underdogs who have a habit of swinging above our weight and making sure our opinion is heard on the national stage, regardless of whether or not it is “politically correct”. That is likely why we were the birthplace of confederation for Canada 150 years ago. Canada is said to be made up of Rogues, Rebel’s, and Geniuses and I would say that many of them reside on this small Island even though it may not look that way to the outside world – to many we are nothing more than a blip on the map. However, many of the original plans for our nation were made in pubs on our tiny Island, not in illustrious parliament buildings where only the privileged elite were allowed access. On Prince Edward Island the rich do not flaunt their extravagance and the smartest of the group may be wearing overalls instead of a grey business suits – they all have opinions and voices to be heard but lately it seems as though they are being silenced all too often.
There are only 150,000 inhabitants, but the network is tight and word travels fast. If the Meritocracy is truly committed to planting the seeds of change and has access to resources, then I believe our Island could be as good of a place to launch a pilot project as any. I don’t know what this would look and realize change does not happen over night. I also know that we are far from perfect and still have obligations to our Federal Government, but the writing is on the wall that the people are getting restless and fed up and feeling more unsatisfied and stripped of power than ever. I could easily be said to be part of the restless group, I am part of a young new “lost generation” and no matter how hard I put my nose to the grindstone and stay “on the hamster wheel”, “in the game”, or “in the trap” I cannot seem to get ahead. Future prospects are not good and I know all to well that there are many systemic problems that are beyond my control but are having serious impacts and consequences on my personal life. I am certainly swimming against the stream and feel that the herd mentality is leading people to a dangerous place and it is only a matter of when, not if, something needs to give. I am lucky and better off than most as a farmer that can take care of family, and myself but I am constantly saddened to see my community dying around me and to be bringing a child into a world where they are less and less likely to succeed. I wear many hats as a Farmer, Artist, Teacher, and businessperson, but no matter how hard I try to get ahead I know the cards are stacked against me and the meritous people of my community are being suppressed and forced into wage slavery and indentured servitude to the big companies and dynastic families – there are serious systemic problems everywhere I look.
I have been an Islander my entire life and personally take pride in being involved with all members of my community – rich & poor, logical & artistic, able-bodied & disabled, etc. I was raised into a family that instilled community values to me from an early age. The news read on the day of my Grandfathers death “Dr. Malcolm Beck: an exemplary public servant who has left his mark”. He is a man I want to emulate and will do whatever I can to help advance Meritocracy as I believe he would have done the same. Here are some excerpts from the article on the day of his death that I think speak to his personality and more-so to a spirit that is prevalent on our Island: “He is from that fading generation who recognized that to serve the public and to be truly loyal to their ministers they must offer their experience-based judgment, even when it is not sought… From the beginning of his career Mac was an advocate for social change, for new ways of addressing old problems, and for enhancing the quality of life of all citizens. And he did not hesitate to press his masters on all fronts. He led communities across the province in urging upon ministers of government appropriate services for people who are intellectually handicapped, making it possible for them to live full and active lives within their communities. All programs dealing with the mentally handicapped on P.E.I. can be traced to Dr. Beck’s singular genius in recruiting the community to their cause… Every family on P.E.I plagued with mental illness, or having the care of a intellectually challenged person, or a learning disabled child is indebted to Dr. Beck for his efforts on their behalf.” We joked at his funeral that Mac was a combination of his 7 sons and daughters, but in reality it is true. He was a prominent social activist, psychiatrist, religious leader (bringing together protestant and catholics to reach common ground, join universities, and help end years of hatred and great sectarian divide that was brought to PEI with the original settlers), educational activist, and proponent for change. He was accepting of all creeds even though he was born in a time when cultural divisions overrode the true spirit of religion. He left big footsteps to follow, but I always admired the positive impact he had and would like to do what I can to help the Meritocracy movement today in an attempt to follow his lead. I still have strangers tell me about the positive memories they have of coming to his house which was a community recreation center for youth where there was food, music, pool, basketball, hockey, cards, games, etc. It was a true open door policy in our family household, and the same can be said for the house my wife grew up in where “at-risk” youth were constantly welcomed. If anything, my family has been helpful of the community to a point of fault by putting others needs sometimes ahead of our own, but I would wish to have it no other way. I am worried that my generation may not be able to do the same.
Having these deep roots in my community, I have been feeling deeply troubled by the stranglehold I see many Islanders in today. Many are indebted to the Old World Order. The Irving’s, a billion dollar operation who hold major sway on our Island, have just issued an ultimatum to farmers and threatened to leave our Island if we do not bend to their will. They already have the farmers, who are typically not business people, deeply in debt and are gauging them to try and reap higher profits for themselves that never make their way back into the community. They wish to put our water supply at risk by drilling deep-water wells before scientific data has been completed- all to increase the Christmas bonus for their family. Many family farms are struggling to keep their head above water and are forced to buy inputs from the same company they sell their product to at a pittance. The farmers are getting angry and I believe the pitchforks could come out soon if there was a proper catalyst. The politicians and industry should be answering to the people, but of course the politicians are bending to the will of big business or “the market”, who are never elected by the public. The effects are the same as they are anywhere in the world, but they are amplified here because we are and Island. When there is a storm and the bridge and boat are closed, it does not take long for the grocery stores to empty. We see first hand how easily the supply chain can be disrupted. I believe we have the potential to be world leaders and set and example for the rest to follow, but we cannot do this without help and with limited resources. The same way I feel powerless as an individual and feel as though there is not much I can do to change the systemic problems I see all around me.
I am putting this message out there to see what type of action can be taken to advance the meritocracy movement, and to put forward a suggestion for discussion that we may be a good place to start some type of movement. There is no longer much deep-rooted religion here. The people are looking for something new, but as a province we are basically as lost and powerless as the individuals who live here will not be able to affect change unless we are able to work together and get help from the outside world. I am a man of action and prefer written word to cheap talk and arguing banter, but to be honest I do not really know how to get the ball rolling in any capacity and am feeling frustrated by the lack of outlets to talk about such things.