The great danger now emerging is that if Canadians can no longer be persuaded of the legitimacy of national action, our collective ability to build on what we have in common will gradually, but inevitably, disintegrate.

Recently, two major transportation arteries in Montreal have been disrupted because of partial structural collapses. These events are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of crumbling bridges, tunnels, roads, and sewers, and inadequate municipal transit and water purification systems across Canada.

Despite the need for bold leadership to rise above the dissonant cacophony of provincial voices and ensure concrete progress towards Canada's green energy future, the federal government remains content to muddle along, making ad hoc one-off deals with provinces. Canadians must directly challenge this incoherence.