After the tragic events that unfolded in Quebec and Ottawa last week, I have to say that I don’t think I’ve ever been more proud of my country, or of being a Canadian.
Canada suffered two terrorist attacks last week and, though there is some criticism out there around certain aspects of the way officials communicated in this crisis, I would like to highlight what has made me most proud.
#CanadaStrong, never defeated
The overwhelming flood of support and the way that Canadians took to social media to unite as one and stand by their country and soldiers gave me a feeling of overwhelming pride. #CanadaStrong, #OttawaStrong and #MyOttawa trended nationally with messages of strength and a refusal to succumb to terrorism or violence. Take a look at just a handful of examples:
My fellow Canadians, let's rally together to show the world that Canada will always remain strong and free. #CanadaStrong #ProudToBeCanadian
— Tanveer Naseer (@TanveerNaseer) October 22, 2014
Dear @CNN – we are NOT terrified. Sad, and angry, but not terrified. #CanadaStrong pic.twitter.com/eqAtdpAHSA
— Brian Laufman (@blaufman) October 22, 2014
It is in moments like these where the country unites and shows the inexorable strength of Canada, not fear or weakness. #CANADASTRONG
— Spencer Yasui (@SpencerYasui) October 22, 2014
It's our home. The actions of cowards won't change who we are and what we stand for. #OttawaStrong #CanadaStrong pic.twitter.com/W4DtlpkZpv
— Keith Tauro (@TPSTauro) October 22, 2014
This is #MyOttawa pic.twitter.com/dNwp1UYcJs
— Mat Smith (@smith_mat) October 23, 2014
Canada kept on going
In the House of Commons, members of Parliament returned to work the very next day. This was a show that Canadians will not be intimidated and that acts of terror will not govern or take our courage, sense of duty or freedom. This decision was one of strength and it was an honorable response to the week’s events.
Canada 'will never be intimidated,' PM Stephen Harper says in national address http://t.co/c5E1LtxYP6 #OttawaShooting #CDNpoli
— CTV News (@CTVNews) October 23, 2014
Let there be no misunderstanding, we will not be intimidated. Canada will never be intimidated.
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 23, 2014
Our decisions and actions shape who we are and who we’re perceived to be
As our Prime Minister, Steven Harper, said in his speech at the House of Commons, “The planet is descending into savagery.” It’s an awful thought and it seems more and more true. The day after the attack on Parliament Hill, there was yet another school shooting in the U.S., this time at Washington State High School.
The decisions we make as a society and a community, as well as the decisions that officials make in the wake of these tragic events, shape how a country is perceived (weak, strong, united, unbreakable) and how the community can then pick up the pieces. Mayor Giuliani’s leadership in the wake of 9/11 and the strength of New Yorkers and Americans all around are a testament to this.
These are discussions and decisions that need to be made before these types of horrific events take place. The rules of crisis management and crisis preparedness apply here. During the events of last week here in Canada, I have to say that city officials and government worked together and made the right decisions to show just how #CanadaStrong this country is. And I’m very proud of that.
As Canadians gather to show our respect for the fallen, we continue to demonstrate to the world why Canada is the best place to call home.
— Stephen Harper (@pmharper) October 24, 2014
Words to reflect on
My friend and colleague, Patrice Cloutier, who is a fellow crisis professional and a fellow Canadian, wrote a great article on the week’s events titled, “7 questions following the Ottawa shooting … an incident comms debrief.” It’s a worthy read with some great takeaways. I also asked Patrice if he’d like to provide a quote for this article and he did. I’d like to leave you with his words of wisdom:
“The events in Ottawa presented all of the main aspects of a sudden crisis: confusion at first, conflicting information and a flood of social media posts. The big lesson here is that no one is immune to this kind of threat and every organization should be prepared to respond quickly with what they KNOW, using the tools their audiences use and to monitor social networks in real-time to help dispel rumours and lessen the overall chaos.”
Author of Crisis Ready: Building an Invincible Brand in an Uncertain World, Melissa Agnes is a leading authority on crisis preparedness, reputation management, and brand protection. Agnes is a coveted keynote speaker, commentator, and advisor to some of today’s leading organizations faced with the greatest risks. Learn more about Melissa and her work here.
Melissa, your country have every reason to be proud. I am so sorry these bastards brought their cowardly ideology to your beautiful country but also I am in awe of the strength shown in the face of this brutality. We Australians are with you!
Thanks David! Australians and Canadians have always been so similar in so many ways. We feel your support 🙂
Canada is standing strong, but I'm proud of Canadians because they saw through the rhetoric and understood the violence for what it was last week: senseless crime, not terrorism. As to the PM's remarks about the world becoming a more savage place, could that be a product of bitterness and frustration? So many in our world have nothing; so few are taking even that away from them.