Like reading your lesson? Click here!

Overview

This story uses metaphors from the natural world to reflect on Canada’s identity, challenges, and future. It draws on the resilience of the marten, an animal that survives in harsh environments by finding its niche, to illustrate how Canada has long depended on geography, resources, and its proximity to the United States. This reliance, however, has left Canada vulnerable to trade disputes, inflation, and productivity challenges, raising questions about its need for new strategies.

The story shifts to glaciers, showing how their buffering capacity stabilizes ecosystems, communities, and even economies. As they melt due to climate change, the risks extend beyond water loss to biodiversity decline, extreme weather, and national security.

Finally, it highlights the interconnectedness of culture, ecology, and democracy, noting that climate disruption and species decline are not just environmental problems but systems-level crises that demand collective choices and new ways of thinking. The story encourages young Canadians to see the links between nature, economy, and society, and to reflect on what kind of future they want to help shape.

Define

  • Trade wars
  • Democratic decline
  • Authoritarianism
  • Bias
  • Climate change
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Ecosystem
  • Sustainability
  • Cost of living
  • Ecological niche
  • Habitat
  • Habituation
  • G7 nation
  • Supply chains
  • Inflation
  • Investment
  • Diversification
  • Tariff
  • Free trade
  • Imports / exports
  • GDP (Gross Domestic Product)
  • NATO commitments
  • Annexation
  • National security
  • Border security
  • Artificial emergency
  • Checks and balances
  • Patriotism
  • Diversification of trade partners
  • Glaciologist
  • Resevoir
  • Snowpack
  • Buffering capacity
  • Hydrology
  • Heat dome
  • Atmospheric phenomena
  • Compounding events
  • Background extinction rate
  • Mass extinction
  • Extirpation
  • Living Planet Index
  • Invasive species
  • Convention on Biological Diversity
  • National security
  • Systems-level problem
  • Consensus

Think about it

  • What does it mean when the story says Canada is “at a crossroads”? Can you think of other times in history when countries faced a similar choice?
  • Several speakers describe the world as being in “crisis” or “poly-crisis.” What do they mean by this? Do you agree? Why or why not?
  • The story mentions both “climate change” and “biodiversity loss.” How are these challenges similar, and how are they different?
  • The story emphasizes that young people are especially good at creativity and problem-solving. Do you agree with this view of your generation? Why or why not?
  • Which of the problems mentioned (climate change, democratic decline, rising authoritarianism, economic divides, etc.) feels most urgent to you personally? Why?
  • Do you think it’s fair to say young people have “more power than they realize” in shaping democracy? How could youth voices be heard more effectively?
  • What does “stepping outside of our comfort zones” mean to you? Can you think of a time you did this, and what you learned?
  • How are economic, environmental, and social issues connected in the story? Can you give an example of how solving one might affect another?
  • One speaker says, “As a country, we must stand for something.” What do you think Canada should stand for in today’s world?
  • The story suggests Canada has sometimes defined itself mainly “against America.” Do you think this is still true? What could Canada do differently to define itself?
  • How might artificial intelligence and technology make today’s problems easier to solve—or harder?
  • If you could design one solution to a challenge in the story, what would it be?
  • The story ends by reminding students that “tomorrow very soon will be your today.” How do you interpret that message?
  • What’s one small action you could take this year that connects to the bigger issues in the story?
  • What does the term ecological niche mean, and how does the marten create one for itself?
  • How has Canada’s geography and proximity to the United States shaped its economy?
  • What is a tariff, and how can tariffs affect Canadian workers and consumers?
  • Why is productivity an important issue for Canada’s economy?
  • In what ways does the marten’s survival strategy mirror Canada’s economic and political strategies?
  • What risks does Canada face by relying heavily on trade with the United States?
  • The story mentions that Canada has developed a “complacency.” What does that mean, and what examples are given?
  • What role did COVID-19 and global supply chain disruptions play in Canada’s cost-of-living crisis?
  • Do you think comparing Canada to a marten is an effective metaphor? Why or why not? If not, what species might fit better in your opinion?
  • What lessons from the marten’s survival in a harsh environment could Canadians apply to their economy and society?
  • If you were a Canadian leader, what steps would you take to reduce Canada’s dependence on the United States?
  • Do you think Canada should spend more on defense and security, or invest more in other priorities (like housing or climate action)? Why?
  • The story suggests that Canada needs a “Plan B” and “Plan C.” What might those plans look like?
  • How does the melting of glaciers affect Canadian communities, both urban and rural?
  • The story connects local environmental changes (like snowpack melt) to global issues (like biodiversity loss). Why is this connection important?
  • What does it mean that environmental issues are also matters of “national security”?
  • The story links climate change to political, economic, and cultural choices. Which area do you think Canadians need to focus on most urgently?
View activities for this story

Resources