Senior federal officials looking for ways to mend tears in Canada’s social fabric, document shows - The Globe and Mail

Addressing Social Fragmentation in Canada

The Canadian government is actively seeking solutions to mend the growing social divisions within the country. An internal presentation from the Department of Canadian Heritage reveals that senior officials have been meeting since 2019 to brainstorm ways to improve social cohesion.

Key Concerns

The concerns highlighted include:

• Polarization around economic issues, immigration, and social matters.
• Erosion of trust in government institutions.
• The spread of misinformation and disinformation.

The presentation notes that while Canada's fragmentation is less severe than in comparable countries, there's a need for proactive measures.

Proposed Solutions

The proposed solutions include:

• Improving public services to enhance trust through positive interactions.
• Strengthening public education on critical thinking, media literacy, and civic engagement.
• Implementing a national digital media literacy strategy.
• Addressing financial incentives that encourage the spread of misinformation.
• Collaborating with diverse groups to foster understanding and exchange best practices.

The officials acknowledged the inherent tension between government intervention and the rising distrust in public institutions.

Actionable Steps

While the Canadian Heritage department did not comment on the implementation of the proposed ideas, the document suggests a proactive and multi-faceted approach to combatting social division and rebuilding trust in government.