Real Patriotism Requires Holding Your Country Accountable

In such a polarized political climate, any form of patriotism can seem performative – giant flags on trucks, on social media profiles, or incendiary slogans shouted in the streets, or again, on social media. But real patriotism doesn’t look like that.

It isn’t passive, and it certainly isn’t hidden behind a screen. Those who truly want to make their country better feel a sense of responsibility to interrogate the way things are done and to demand better when needs are unmet or neglected. 

Former Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong puts it plainly: “If you love something, you don’t ignore its flaws. You work to fix them.” During his time representing Toronto’s Spadina–Fort York, Vuong frequently found himself at odds with political orthodoxy, introducing petitions, questioning local and national policies, and opposing projects that he believed jeopardized public safety. He was often depicted as a disruptor, but his supporters saw a strong and admirable sense of conviction behind his actions. 

For his petition to Parliament demanding clarity on whether antisemitic chants at protests contravened the Criminal Code, Vuong was clear: protest is a democratic right, but when slogans instill fear in schoolchildren or target specific communities, “that’s not debate—it’s intimidation.”

This stance was by no means universally welcomed, but it sparked necessary conversations about the limits of free speech and the state’s duty to protect marginalized groups.

Another issue Vuong tackled was the placement of supervised drug injection sites near schools and churches. He made sure to argue not against harm-reduction programs themselves, but against their proximity to vulnerable community institutions.

“There’s no dignity,” he said, “in ignoring residents who live with the consequences while being excluded from the decisions.” This was also seen by many as obstructionist, but Vuong was responding to the most fervent concerns of his constituents. 

History is full of leaders who have risked political capital, or even their careers, by holding their countries to higher standards. In Canada, we’ve seen examples like Tommy Douglas, who championed universal healthcare in the face of intense opposition, and Agnes Macphail, who demanded women’s rights and prison reform in a time when this invited ridicule. Patriotic civic leadership is not afraid to make things uncomfortable.

Now a private citizen, Vuong fully intends to remain an advocate for change. He remains active on radio programs and social media, highlighting 911 delays, antisemitic harassment, and the slow pace of housing reform. If anything, his tone is sharpening.

“People think that when you constructively criticize institutions or demand better from them, it means you don’t love your country,” says Vuong. “But I believe real patriotism is rooted in a responsibility to improve, to protect, and to always push for better.”

In democracies, progress comes from being willing to speak hard truths out of a deep sense of love for the nation we call home. There is always room to be more just, more accountable, and more responsive to the needs of our citizens.