The politicking of identity has always been a nation-building project

Reinforcing Canada’s national identity as white, male, and British—even if it includes historical lies—is a projection of one of this country’s main characteristics: insecurity.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Feb. 4 remarks at a Black History Month event underscore the theme that belonging in Canada as a Black citizen requires more credits than debits in the ledger, writes Erica Ifill. The Hill Times photograph by Sam Garcia

Opinion

BY ERICA IFILL

February 18, 2026

CALGARY—Both the Liberals and the Conservatives are trying to rewrite the history of Canada to reflect British primacy and supremacy—or white, anglophone identity.

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