Canada is admired for its civility—but that very image may be our undoing.

In The Impolite Canadian, Kumaran Nadesan delivers a blisteringly clear-eyed assessment of why “playing nice” is costing Canada its influence, talent, and future.

Drawing on decades of experience in public service, business, and community leadership, Nadesan argues that Canada’s reputation for politeness masks a dangerous national habit: avoidance. We hesitate where others act, defer where others lead, and lose ground while pretending to hold it. From international trade failures to declining citizenship rates, this book outlines the real price of being quietly competent.

Instead, Nadesan calls for a new archetype: the Impolite Canadian—bold, principled, and unafraid to speak plainly. Through sharp analysis and compelling personal stories, he shows how civic actors, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens can step up and redefine leadership.

The Impolite Canadian is not a complaint—it’s a challenge. It’s a timely manifesto for readers who believe Canada can do better and are ready to act—a must-read for politicians and policy wonks, business leaders and entrepreneurs, and anyone who believes Canada can lead with its values and interests.