John Stuart Mill, a classical liberal thinker, cautioned that free institutions struggle to thrive in nations with diverse nationalities. He argued that without a unified public opinion, representative government lacks the necessary common sympathies and cultural cohesion to function effectively. Mill warned that even the military could become disconnected from the populace, transforming into a mere extension of the state. This notion raises questions about Canada’s current identity and the need to rediscover a collective sense of "we."

The challenge lies in the clash between this essential premise and modern liberalism, which often overlooks the cultural foundations that underpin rights and markets. Prominent classical liberal thinkers, while rooted in rich cultural contexts, seldom acknowledged this in their writings. For instance, Adam Smith, known for advocating free trade, emphasized that such economic policies should serve the common good. He supported the Act of Navigation, which mandated that English ships be crewed by Englishmen, arguing that national defense was more critical than mere wealth. Smith viewed these regulations as vital for ensuring national security while promoting broader liberalization.

Canada's founding statesman, Sir John A. Macdonald, was not a liberal in the modern sense. The Constitution Act of 1867 was crafted to unite the two founding peoples—Anglos and French—into a single North American entity. However, the two groups have struggled to achieve lasting cultural unity, a challenge echoed in the ongoing Quebec question in Canadian history. Following World War II, the federal government expanded its role, attempting to reconcile with a nationalist Quebec through various institutions. This led to the establishment of official bilingualism and a more extensive welfare state, which were largely seen as efforts to bridge the cultural divide. However, Quebec continues to assert its distinct nationhood, resisting integration into an English-speaking framework.

American political theorist Patrick Deneen has discussed the paradox of liberalism as it evolves into an administrative state. He argues that liberalism has not failed due to shortcomings but has remained true to its principles. By dismantling traditional structures such as family, church, and local customs, liberalism creates a vacuum that is filled by an expanding centralized government. As social bonds weaken, individuals become isolated, leading to a bureaucratic system that governs in the absence of traditional authorities.

The Founding Fathers of the United States were not purely liberal thinkers. Many hailed from Southern backgrounds steeped in hierarchical traditions, and their concepts of liberty were rooted in a shared culture and mutual respect. Liberty thrived in societies where a cohesive people, along with their customs, beliefs, and heritage, existed. Today, Canada is marked by increased diversity and a wavering confidence in its historical identity, grappling with the notion that it can replace its national narrative.

Technocratic liberals, such as Mark Carney, may reference Adam Smith and his principles, yet they often overlook that these ideas emerged from nations with defined identities, not from a landscape of fluid borders and fragmented communities. Canada’s immigration and multicultural policies have reached unprecedented levels, often neglecting the essential social trust needed to support such diversity. A 2022 Ipsos survey revealed that amid the Liberal government's extensive immigration initiatives, only 33 percent of Canadians felt positively about the direction of the country, highlighting the growing concerns over national identity and cohesion.