Standing Up for Canada with Arlene Dickinson

Why does it feel like having a distinct Canadian identity feels extra meaningful recently? Is it something we can actually see or feel to in our day-to-day?

Arlene Dickinson is one of our country’s most well-known and vocal champions for why it matters. Businesswoman, investor, author, and CBC’s Dragons’ Den personality, Dickinson shares a vibrant conversation on the latest episode of REAL TIME, with host Shaun Majumder. She describes her history—which might surprise you—living the Canadian dream, what makes Canada so special for entrepreneurs, what patriotism means to her and what she believes it can mean to Canadians, especially in today’s contentious political climate. 

Majumder kicks off the conversation with his personal take on the “Elbows Up” phenomenon. “We’re feeling this new mojo… and I LOVE that.” Dickinson followed up with her own perception about what she sees as the road ahead for Canada in business and economic terms: “we're going to think harder about making sure we can stand on our own two feet. We absolutely can.” 

Do I think we can do it? Yes. Are we going to have to sacrifice? Yes. Is it going to be worth it? A thousand per cent, yes.”

Arlene Dickinson

When asked her thoughts on some of the more recent challenges Canada’s been facing she thoughtfully shared, “We’ve had to learn how to collaborate and connect... to accept a global view. That acceptance of different cultures and different understandings, yet all grounded in the same belief of what the promise of the nation is, I think, that’s what Canada represents.” 

Beyond “Elbows Up”, how does Dickinson see Canada’s future? “We can buy Canadian, we can encourage Canadian, we can invest in Canadian, we can believe in Canadian.” She defines her moral compass as “‘Capitalism with a heart.” This perspective led her to establish Calgary-based District Ventures Capital, which invests in food and beverage products for the health and wellness sectors. “Make sure what you build is respecting the environment, it’s good for your neighbour, and it’s helping your community,” she explains.

Explore Dickinson’s thoughtful and inspiring vision in this conversation with REAL TIME host, Shaun Majumder. Listen to the full episode wherever you find your favourite podcasts. A transcript is also available on CREA.ca.