“Chafe’s op-ed echoes that same defeatism, essentially arguing that no matter what our panel recommends, it won’t make a difference and is therefore a waste of time. This raises a critical question: Is cynicism a better strategy than trying and possibly failing?”

A recent op-ed (Despicable, Cynical Me, January/February 2026) by Atlantic Business Magazine’s executive editor and co-owner Dawn Chafe exemplifies a challenge we face in Atlantic Canada. You’ll remember our former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s 2002 comment accusing us of having a “culture of defeat.” While the outrage was understandable, many quietly acknowledged he’d touched a nerve. The real issue wasn’t defeat—it was dependence on government. Unfortunately, Chafe’s op-ed echoes that same defeatism, essentially arguing that no matter what our panel recommends, it won’t make a difference and is therefore a waste of time.

This raises a critical question: Is cynicism a better strategy than trying and possibly failing? As a business owner, I learned that survival requires tenacity, resilience and determination. One thing I know for certain—nothing improves by doing nothing.

 

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