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THE GOVERNMENT
There is joy in Mudville today….no doubt about it. I must admit, that as I went to bed last night, I thought the sun would not rise in the morning. But rise it did and we have a new majority government in Canada which will be led by Justin Trudeau.
There will be people who will be wildly excited about the election results (I know of one friend who was dancing in the street in her P.J.’s.), and there are others who are licking their wounds. Thus is the nature of politics.
The people of Canada have spoken and they have spoken loudly and clearly. They wanted change and they have it. Stephen Harper stayed too long. People who vilify him as the worst Prime Minister in our history are wrong. He was elected Prime Minister by Canadians three times. He gave much of his career to serving Canada and he deserves to be respected for that. He simply stayed too long.
When people stay too long in any one position, they tend to believe too much in themselves and they make mistakes. They also find it more difficult to embrace new ideas and to determine when a change in direction is needed. They become entrenched and weary voters begin to think of them as enlightened dictators. While there are many things I dislike about the American electoral system, I believe their policy on term limits is a good one. In Canada, I would advocate a limit of two to three terms for the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers.
Canada has a long tradition of being governed by both Liberals and Conservatives and because of that, we remain today, one of the most respected countries in the world. We are a people who value stability and that is why, in spite of constant polls to the contrary, once the winds of change were obvious, Canadians opted for a strong majority government.
Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party have been given a strong mandate and I have no doubt that they will leave their mark on a better Canada, as have governments that have gone before them. Do I worry about some of their stated policies such as higher taxes for small businesses and creating deficits? Yes….but anyone who follows politics knows the difference between an election campaign and the reality of governing. Whether these particular policies move forward or not, pragmatism will rule the day.
Justin Trudeau, as Prime Minister, has a number of real challenges ahead of him: maintaining a strong economy, ensuring the safety of Canadians, renewing our outdated infrastructure, ensuring our place as a world trading partner, Senate reform, and seeing that all Canadians have a decent quality of life to name a few. Surely, now that the election is over, all Canadians want him to succeed in these endeavours. Certainly, I am one Canadian who does.
THE OPPOSITION
The Conservative Party was not written off by Canadians. They have elected a strong opposition party, a fundamental part of our democratic process. Their job is to keep the government on its toes and I have no doubt they will do it well. They will be doing it, however, without Stephen Harper, who has announced that he is stepping aside as Conservative leader. That is the right and proper thing for him to do. It allows the party to renew itself, to look in new directions and to move forward.
I would be surprised if the Tories opted for a leadership race right away. My guess is that they will appoint an interim leader, allowing the party and caucus to get their act together and regain some profile. Having a leadership race about half way through the term could also give them some momentum moving into the next election cycle.
It would not surprise me if Tony Clement was on a very short list for interim leader of the Conservatives, assuming he wants it. He is one of the most senior Tories re-elected and he is a seasoned parliamentarian with extensive experience on both the government and opposition side of the House. When it comes to the actual leadership race, Tony may well be there along with, I suspect, Peter MacKay, Jason Kenny, perhaps Kelly Leitch and a few surprises.
What will be fun for me will be to watch the media. Many of them probably will have serious hangovers today as they recover from celebrating the defeat of the Conservatives. But as the afterglow fades and they run out of good things to say about the government, their ratings will depend on strong, willing and effective opposition members, taking on the government. The Tories will become strange bedfellows indeed, and it might even wipe the smirk on CTV’s Don Martin’s face permanently away!
THE RIDING
Tony Clement held on to his seat in Parry Sound-Muskoka but the landscape has changed. First, Liberal candidate Trisha Cowie gave him a run for his money. She ran a strong campaign and I suspect she is not going away. However, Tony Clement also ran a very successful campaign and against the national trend, he was running upstream. But he knocked on virtually every door in the riding and campaigned calmly and effectively at a myriad of events. That, plus his recognized devotion to every part of his riding as their Member of Parliament, put him over the top.
But the landscape has changed because for the first time that I can recall in many years, Parry Sound-Muskoka will not have a member from the government side of the house either provincially or federally. We all know that the goodies tend to come to those ridings that are held by the government. We have benefited from that. This time around it will be a different challenge for Clement, but one he is used to as he has served in opposition before and been very effective in representing the interests of the people in his riding.
The challenge now will be infrastructure. A large component of the Liberal’s election platform was an extensive infrastructure program. Goodness knows it’s needed and our riding should be no exception. Bridges, roads, public buildings and hydro facilities need updating and renewal. It is a serious problem, especially in Ontario where too much manufacturing has left the province because our infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate. Tony Clement will have his hands full fighting for our share of infrastructure projects. It may be a new ball game but we still have a very effective pitcher!
Hugh Mackenzie
John Davis says
Hugh, you are a closet Liberal so obviously you won’t see the negative impact the Liberals can have on a country that has just got its house in order. If change is what the people of Canada truly wanted they would have given Mulcair the keys to the castle. We all know that the Liberals and the Conservatives are ultimately controlled by the same big money from Ontario and Quebec. One of Harper’s biggest faults was not continuing his education at Trinity College.
Harper is and was a free thinker, that will shake these puppeteers right down to their toes. These owners of the National media can destroy any leader at will and often do. Legalizing dope will make those of weak mind that much easier to coral and drive in their direction in the future.
This was not a win for Trudeau on deficits as a much greater number voted for the two parties who ran on balanced budgets and being responsible not just for the next four years but for a strong future for this country. The only losers last night are those small business women and men who make this country strong buy the sacrifices they make, the people they employ and the disproportionate taxes they pay.
Hugh Mackenzie says
About the closet John…that was a low blow! You know me better than that. Fact is the Grits won. Suck it up and hope they do well for Canada.
Leigh Beal says
Mr. Davis,
I can assure you that Hugh Mackenzie is no Liberal.
He wears his blue as proudly as I don my red — and while we have had few occasion to agree (this editorial included) I will robustly defend his rights to free thought, free association and free expression — and utterly dispute that any of these are Liberal.
Likewise, the National media — the Post, Globe and Sun — can hardly be called Liberal when all endorsed the Conservative Party (though not necessarily its leader) for re-election. And, in case you’d like to attend, Liberals will be hosting a series of local sessions with business to help develop a truly fair small-business tax plan.
Kindly,
Leigh Beal, president
PSM Federal Liberal Association
jim bjork says
What is this incessant drivel about successive “balanced budgets”? Canada is $1.5 Trillion in debt. How does anyone reconcile that with these supposed “long histories of balanced budgets”? Mel Hurtig, in “The Truth about Canada” and his newest, Harper-The Arrogant Autocrat” spells it out.
Dale Peacock says
A good article Hugh. As a long-time, card-carrying Liberal I know one when I see one and you aren’t Liberal closeted or otherwise. If I had to pigeon-hole you I’d say maybe a Progressive Conservative? Joking aside, as usual it is the respectful balance you bring to your opinion pieces that I value and appreciate.
While I had hoped that we would elect a member from the government side of the house – and Trisha Cowie did a bang-up job in my opinion – I concede that Tony Clement has served us pretty well and I congratulate him.
It may seem like a new world with the election of a Liberal government but I really believe that it is just a return to the one we abandoned a few years back. A more severe right-wingedness (not a word maybe but conveys my thoughts) was a re-engineering experiment that failed. I just can’t look at the end of an era of negativity and divisiveness as anything but a good thing.
I hope Canadians who are not Liberals can simmer down and give our new Prime Minister a chance. We might all be surprised at what he can do with a ‘sunnier’ approach to governance.
Val Corbett says
Goodbye to the “oligarchy” {country controlled by a small group, in this case, a group of ONE}!!! It was gratifying to see our Prime Minister designate , in a Montreal subway station, the morning after his win, greeting people on their way to work!! There were hugs, hand shakes, and lots of selfies!!! Compare this to Harper`s early photo op where he was dropping off his young son on first day of school and he shakes his hand??? So, while Princess Diana was called “the people`s princess” I see Justin Trudeau as “the people`s Prime Minister”. As to a successor to Harper, I disagree that Tony C would be a good choice. After spending ten years under the thumb of SH there is a possibility of him suffering from Stockholm Syndrome!! I would rather see Peter Mackay or John Baird, both of whom who had the guts to walk away from Harper. To Trish ,you really gave it your all! I`m not sure PS M is ready yet for a female rep. who is young, intelligent, well educated, not to mention the mother of 8 year old Ronan who is a great kid!!!! I`m sure your time will come!!
Paul Clayson says
I take exception to your last remark. The people in PSM are not, in my view, against age, sex or colour. Tony was elected, despite the Liberal tide, because he has been good for Muskoka. The large number of votes for Trisha Cowie are sufficient in themselves to refute your comments.
Lenore Werry says
My congratulations go to Trisha Cowie who ran a superb campaign while carrying on her Law Practice, and being a Mother to her son. She had neither the good fortune to have an office carrying on her business and minding the home fires nor a bank roll to allow her to spend the limits allowed under the Elections Act. She couldn’t hire a van load of young people to knock on doors for her but did it with volunteers and whatever time she could spare from earning a living. My only regret, I would like to have been able to do more. Lenore Werry
Val Corbett says
Paul, when you say Tony was good for PS M, my thoughts go to our “Phantom Waterloo University Bldg., which is a millstone around the necks of local taxpayers. Before the previous election, Tony came to the door, and I commented, “It`s false advertising to have a sign on Brunel pointing to Waterloo University. There is no University of Waterloo there and probably never will be!!” {True to this day} His curt reply to me was “I don`t have time for this”, he turned on his heel and stomped down the driveway. He certainly was not prepared to discuss this!!! So my impression of him differs from yours. I still see all the goodies showered on us, at the expense of all Canadian taxpayers, as insurance that he could get re~elected. As far as Trish`s good showing I think it`s sign of change in PS M but we are not there yet!!!! I would also point out as a lifetime resident here, and a teacher at the high school for 33 yrs, that I`m sufficiently qualified to comment on the evolution occurring in Muskoka. Sincerely Val C
Britt Stevens says
The 10ish-year party flip-flop cycle is incredibly consistent. I am a conservative but I think Chretien did a great job, as did Harper. I think most people do not understand the real economic issues that are important. They argue about the niqab but don’t try and understand the trade gap, fiscal and monetary policy or even know the difference between the terms deficit and debt. The media waste time asking “What did Harper mean by old stock Canadians?” instead of educating voters on what and how inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, foreign debt etc.. mean and how it all works. I might even argue that many people should not be encouraged to vote. If your vote is solely based on the refugee problem of recent but you don’t understand immigration and any of the other issues at hand and you don’t care to read, ask questions and see how we compare internationally then… should you vote?
The Liberals in Ontario have grown the debt from approx $100 billion to over $300 billion since 1993. We have more than double the debt of California with 1/5 the economy. Ontario’s debt is offside more than any other US state and most countries.
Politics and economics is complicated.
John McCaig says
As usual, I think you hit it right on the head, Hugh. Anyone, even us Conservatives, who would wish ill to a new PM is not very smart or much of a Canadian. In spite of having been “burned” by his father years ago, I think Justin could be a big success if he can hold the old guard (McCallum, etc.) at bay and keep their hands out of the cookie jar. I hope it is a “new” Liberal party with him at the helm – we shall have to wait and see. First test may be when he has to decide about the senate.
Like you, I worry about another 40 billion in deficits to be handed down to the next generation. I am also pleased that we just shut down our own small business to retire as I think life could be tough for a small business owner soon. Interesting enough, the last politician who really did exactly what he said he would do was Mike Harris, and he was vilified for it. It will be interesting to see if Justin can follow through on what he said and what the reaction will be.
As far as Tony, thank goodness we have him. We have lived in about 7 different ridings over the years and never had an MP as good. Tricia Cowie ran a good campaign, but was certainly overmatched in this one. However I would note we never had one of the candidates visit our street so I am not sure where they concentrated their efforts.
Unfortunately one of the disappointing things seen on election night was the rant by someone I formerly respected – Craig Oliver – as he discussed Steven Harper. The man was our Prime Minister for a number of years, was reelected 3 times, and served his country well. Whether you like him or not, he deserves better and it is time to move on. Seems some people just do not want to, and that is unfortunate.