I to am optimistic and hope that under Carney’s guidance we can weather the storm created by the Trump administration. Prior to Mark Carney arriving on the scene I intended on voting conservative, not because I like Poilievre, I hate him, but because I was tired of PJT and felt Canada needed a change. Listening to Andrew Scheer’s interview with David Cochrane has me wondering if the conservatives learned anything from their election loss, his inability to answer 1 question, his mistruths and bluster have me wondering if anything has changed. Will they work with the liberals or are we in for much the same, bullying, name calling and bogging down government until they see an opportunity to bring the government down- all for 1 reason, not to benefit Canadians but to divide and conquer.
As usual, a fine piece of writing. I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments. I also hope that the CPC will ditch their horrible trump-style way of doing politics.
Excellent points. There are two key takeaways from this election that I hope both far left and far right ends of the political conversation in Canada can absorb:
-Average Canadians recoil from people who stoop to public bullying, name calling, yelling, and attacks on candidates personal characteristics and families.
-We have to start listening to the millions of people who don't do that, yet still voted for a party that didn't once disavow those tactics. We need to ask them what is working so poorly about this country for them, that they would overlook that very Un-Canadian approach to politics.
We have got to get serious about bridge-building to find things in common, not demonizing folks we don't agree with.
We cannot afford to just be dismissive of any point of view that may not align with our own. That way lies the foundational cracking apart that now characterizes the Benighted States of America. And I have to believe we are better than that.
Looking forward to your upcoming insights on Norad!
Sadly, the more the CPC moves to the right, the more they focus on irrelevant culture war issues, the more they use divisiveness and foment intolerance, then the less likely that others will even want to try to find common ground.
Interestingly enough, the CPC performed better than expected and that is because they pulled support from the PPC. The PPC! Thus, the CPC benefited from their obvious reach to the right so they may not learn the lesson that many traditionally conservative Canadians want them to understand. Finally, Poilievre has clearly stated -bragged- that his beliefs and policies haven't changed in 20 years, so we cannot expect him to perceive a reason to modulate his policies or behavior now.
It's important to.note that part of the collapse of the NDP vote went to the CPC. The attractiveness of the CPC to the "under 30s" and to unemployed youth needs careful analysis. Can't rest on us old folks forever! The next generation needs to take up the torch!
Please accept my compliments on your article. Let me add a few additional thoughts to your post:
Although I had hoped Mark Carney would win a majority government, I have come to believe that a strong minority might be the best outcome for the country. I give Pierre Poilievre a lot of credit for his concession speech. As recently as a few months ago, he had every right to believe he would be addressing the nation as the Prime Minister. Faced with the sudden reality of an election loss, and the added prospect of losing his long-time seat, he handled an extraordinarily difficult moment with class.
At times, Pierre Poilievre has been immature and reckless – promising to fire the Bank of Canada Governor, supporting the trucking convoy to the extent that he did, and refusing to get his security clearance are three prominent examples. There are legitimate reasons why many Canadians on the left and centre of the political spectrum specifically voted against Pierre Poilievre. My greatest fear, given some of the posturing about the accuracy of the polls, was that he might stoke the embers of polarization by hinting at a stolen election.
Like you, I hope Poilievre and the CPC will move towards the centre where policy can be debated on its merits rather than reflexively opposed. What might that look like? It might mean collaborating with the minority government on issues like housing rather than railing against it. It probably means starting over on issues by recognizing that Mark Carney’s Red Toryism is different from Justin Trudeau’s progressive Liberalism and that presenting constructive alternatives will now require more careful thought and maturity.
I thought Carney made a nice gesture towards civility in politics by allowing the CPC to trigger a by-election for Poilievre. I hope that gesture will not be made empty by trying to poach members to gain a majority government. I think it would behoove Mark Carney to actively seek cooperation with every party, especially the CPC, on matters of common interest. The opportunity to poach will always be there, but I hope this government will strive for a higher ideal.
Most people I speak with are concerned that the CPC wants more of Poilievre and his style, not less, hence seeming to be keeping him on. Perhaps the secret leadership ballot the Conservatives will hold on Tuesday may tell a different tale. We can only hope the normal Cons are in the majority and will use this opportunity to start to bring back true conservatism and discard this ultra-right nonsense most Canadians do not have a taste for.
Excellent analysis. Couldn't agree more, especially on the way forward being essential unity of purpose and an elevation of political behaviour. Mr. Carney appears to be making a solid beginning
I think the new administration will be quite different. Carney is clearly aware that we want a new attitude toward politics, and that alone is refreshing to see.
The Australians followed our lead and turfed the candidate who became more and more Trumpist from his own seat. They were a bit tired of Albanese, too, but reelected him. Of course they have mandatory voting and preferential votes. If we had ranked voting, i believe the Conservatives would not look as strong as they do. Definitely fewer seats.
Canadian politics right now looks like American politics several years ago: the Democrats moved to the center, progressives became alienated and stayed home, and the Republicans, instead of purging the demagogue and MAGA from its ranks and finding policies that would attract more voters, relied on the safe base that culture wars, disinformation, slogans and simple promises of unspecified change create.
I hope Canada heads the warning: this reprieve is temporary.
about the IDU founded by our old friend Stephen Harper looking at how right wing messaging is circulating globally through this network and we see PP was not creating his own talking points native to Canada but was spouting an international right wing claptrap. This is a big risk to our democracy and national dialogue that we will be drowned in this propaganda.
Let’s give everyone some time to process the results before jumping to predictions about what’s next. Pierre Poilievre brought in many young voters who’ve only known Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. I remember how the political wins and losses of my youth often felt like life-and-death struggles for the country’s future. That passion needs to be tempered (certainly not extinguished) by experience.
We have a new Prime Minister, a new Parliament, and—contrary to some CPC media narratives—a very different agenda on the table. I don't think anyone who supported Carney in the election was hoping for Trudeau 2.0. Let’s give it time to take shape before worrying about quick takes or speculative no-confidence scenarios.
Manning, Harper and rest of the Kowtown Klan still want to get their acolyte into the PM's office. They've proven that hyperpartisan rhetoric has an impact, and I believe they seek to capitalize upon that. The moderates in CPC better realize than they only have ONE shot to blunt that thrust.
I would like to see yet another party break off. The MAGA Canadians should just go their way and stop contaminating the more reasonable contingent of the Conservative Party.
I very much agree with this. It was a move to the center in my opinion. And I wish the conservatives would see this as a repudiation of the more extreme right leaning aspects of the party that PP embodies. It’d be delicious if he loses the by election( doubtful) . I also hope Carney is successful in his agenda to strengthen Canada. All of Canada.
I to am optimistic and hope that under Carney’s guidance we can weather the storm created by the Trump administration. Prior to Mark Carney arriving on the scene I intended on voting conservative, not because I like Poilievre, I hate him, but because I was tired of PJT and felt Canada needed a change. Listening to Andrew Scheer’s interview with David Cochrane has me wondering if the conservatives learned anything from their election loss, his inability to answer 1 question, his mistruths and bluster have me wondering if anything has changed. Will they work with the liberals or are we in for much the same, bullying, name calling and bogging down government until they see an opportunity to bring the government down- all for 1 reason, not to benefit Canadians but to divide and conquer.
As usual, a fine piece of writing. I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments. I also hope that the CPC will ditch their horrible trump-style way of doing politics.
Excellent points. There are two key takeaways from this election that I hope both far left and far right ends of the political conversation in Canada can absorb:
-Average Canadians recoil from people who stoop to public bullying, name calling, yelling, and attacks on candidates personal characteristics and families.
-We have to start listening to the millions of people who don't do that, yet still voted for a party that didn't once disavow those tactics. We need to ask them what is working so poorly about this country for them, that they would overlook that very Un-Canadian approach to politics.
We have got to get serious about bridge-building to find things in common, not demonizing folks we don't agree with.
We cannot afford to just be dismissive of any point of view that may not align with our own. That way lies the foundational cracking apart that now characterizes the Benighted States of America. And I have to believe we are better than that.
Looking forward to your upcoming insights on Norad!
Sadly, the more the CPC moves to the right, the more they focus on irrelevant culture war issues, the more they use divisiveness and foment intolerance, then the less likely that others will even want to try to find common ground.
Interestingly enough, the CPC performed better than expected and that is because they pulled support from the PPC. The PPC! Thus, the CPC benefited from their obvious reach to the right so they may not learn the lesson that many traditionally conservative Canadians want them to understand. Finally, Poilievre has clearly stated -bragged- that his beliefs and policies haven't changed in 20 years, so we cannot expect him to perceive a reason to modulate his policies or behavior now.
It's important to.note that part of the collapse of the NDP vote went to the CPC. The attractiveness of the CPC to the "under 30s" and to unemployed youth needs careful analysis. Can't rest on us old folks forever! The next generation needs to take up the torch!
Please accept my compliments on your article. Let me add a few additional thoughts to your post:
Although I had hoped Mark Carney would win a majority government, I have come to believe that a strong minority might be the best outcome for the country. I give Pierre Poilievre a lot of credit for his concession speech. As recently as a few months ago, he had every right to believe he would be addressing the nation as the Prime Minister. Faced with the sudden reality of an election loss, and the added prospect of losing his long-time seat, he handled an extraordinarily difficult moment with class.
At times, Pierre Poilievre has been immature and reckless – promising to fire the Bank of Canada Governor, supporting the trucking convoy to the extent that he did, and refusing to get his security clearance are three prominent examples. There are legitimate reasons why many Canadians on the left and centre of the political spectrum specifically voted against Pierre Poilievre. My greatest fear, given some of the posturing about the accuracy of the polls, was that he might stoke the embers of polarization by hinting at a stolen election.
Like you, I hope Poilievre and the CPC will move towards the centre where policy can be debated on its merits rather than reflexively opposed. What might that look like? It might mean collaborating with the minority government on issues like housing rather than railing against it. It probably means starting over on issues by recognizing that Mark Carney’s Red Toryism is different from Justin Trudeau’s progressive Liberalism and that presenting constructive alternatives will now require more careful thought and maturity.
I thought Carney made a nice gesture towards civility in politics by allowing the CPC to trigger a by-election for Poilievre. I hope that gesture will not be made empty by trying to poach members to gain a majority government. I think it would behoove Mark Carney to actively seek cooperation with every party, especially the CPC, on matters of common interest. The opportunity to poach will always be there, but I hope this government will strive for a higher ideal.
Yes to all of this.
Most people I speak with are concerned that the CPC wants more of Poilievre and his style, not less, hence seeming to be keeping him on. Perhaps the secret leadership ballot the Conservatives will hold on Tuesday may tell a different tale. We can only hope the normal Cons are in the majority and will use this opportunity to start to bring back true conservatism and discard this ultra-right nonsense most Canadians do not have a taste for.
Exactly my sentiments, but articulated more effectively than I could. Thank you.
Excellent analysis. Couldn't agree more, especially on the way forward being essential unity of purpose and an elevation of political behaviour. Mr. Carney appears to be making a solid beginning
I feel exactly the same, word for word.
Thanks for this piece.
I think the new administration will be quite different. Carney is clearly aware that we want a new attitude toward politics, and that alone is refreshing to see.
Well toned!
The Australians followed our lead and turfed the candidate who became more and more Trumpist from his own seat. They were a bit tired of Albanese, too, but reelected him. Of course they have mandatory voting and preferential votes. If we had ranked voting, i believe the Conservatives would not look as strong as they do. Definitely fewer seats.
Canadian politics right now looks like American politics several years ago: the Democrats moved to the center, progressives became alienated and stayed home, and the Republicans, instead of purging the demagogue and MAGA from its ranks and finding policies that would attract more voters, relied on the safe base that culture wars, disinformation, slogans and simple promises of unspecified change create.
I hope Canada heads the warning: this reprieve is temporary.
Agree with all you are saying. Fascinating recent article
https://open.substack.com/pub/axorc/p/the-quiet-network-keiretsu-politics?r=kuvjd&utm_medium=ios
about the IDU founded by our old friend Stephen Harper looking at how right wing messaging is circulating globally through this network and we see PP was not creating his own talking points native to Canada but was spouting an international right wing claptrap. This is a big risk to our democracy and national dialogue that we will be drowned in this propaganda.
One conservative I know has said that he fully expects a no confidence vote to get rid of the liberals in less than 6 months.
That won’t happen. CPC may initiate if PP continues his MAGA bullshit but they will not get the votes to defeat the Government.
I agree, they won’t. It will be fun to watch them try though.
Let’s give everyone some time to process the results before jumping to predictions about what’s next. Pierre Poilievre brought in many young voters who’ve only known Justin Trudeau as Prime Minister. I remember how the political wins and losses of my youth often felt like life-and-death struggles for the country’s future. That passion needs to be tempered (certainly not extinguished) by experience.
We have a new Prime Minister, a new Parliament, and—contrary to some CPC media narratives—a very different agenda on the table. I don't think anyone who supported Carney in the election was hoping for Trudeau 2.0. Let’s give it time to take shape before worrying about quick takes or speculative no-confidence scenarios.
I’m afraid of that as well. This has nothing to do with helping to steer the country it has to do with another kick at the can.
Manning, Harper and rest of the Kowtown Klan still want to get their acolyte into the PM's office. They've proven that hyperpartisan rhetoric has an impact, and I believe they seek to capitalize upon that. The moderates in CPC better realize than they only have ONE shot to blunt that thrust.
I would like to see yet another party break off. The MAGA Canadians should just go their way and stop contaminating the more reasonable contingent of the Conservative Party.
I very much agree with this. It was a move to the center in my opinion. And I wish the conservatives would see this as a repudiation of the more extreme right leaning aspects of the party that PP embodies. It’d be delicious if he loses the by election( doubtful) . I also hope Carney is successful in his agenda to strengthen Canada. All of Canada.