Lviv, Ukraine 10/21/2015 7:30 AM
Oh Canada! The first line of the Canadian national anthem.
And Canada has certainly struck a chord this week with its rejection of its Conservative Party government. A government that ruled the country for 9 years. And "ruled" was increasingly becoming the right term for the party's domination with its authoritarian leader and the country's Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
I've been summering in Nova Scotia, Canada for 14 years and the change during that time I found both profound and disturbing.
Canada is basically a liberal country with three political parties, two of which are liberal. The three parties divide up the vote kind of evenly although the proportions fluctuate.
So I found it particularly interesting that the Conservatives have managed to dominate in spite of being out numbered by those who support the Liberal party and the even more liberal New Democratic Party. In other words the Conservatives have ruled in spite of having only 1/3 of the voters.
Even more surprising to me was the fact that Stephen Harper was able to do this in spite of the fact that he had an unusual lack charisma.
Don't get me wrong I think leaders without charisma are generally a good thing as they have a greater need for good values and policies since they can't depend on their charm to lure voters astray from their core values.
But Harper wasn't a guy who ruled by appealing to Canadian core values IMHO. What are those values?
In my time in Canada, I've come to believe that Canadians are more liberal, are less materialistic, are more open to immigration and definitely politer than Americans. And they are far less violent with much lower rates of crime.
Canadians are less warlike. Perhaps, due in part to their not having the influence of the Military, Industrial Complex that President Eisenhower warned America about. They refused to join in George W, Bush's disastrous Iraq war for which the world continues to pay such a high price.
But, Stephen Harper did not lead by tapping into Canadian's core values. He lead in spite of his distance from them.
So what was the secret of his success? He was tough, willing to bend the rules and appeal to peoples' worst instincts and fears. Raising the fear of terrorism in order to give the government greater control.
And this isn't about Conservative vs. Liberal. Some of my best friends are Conservative and were no fans of Harper's one man rule over party and nation.
One must not speak ill of the dead (politically that is). We must give Harper credit for personally prevailing against the odds with commitment and determination for his rule of so many years and in finally delivering a message to Canadians that they must rise up with equal commitment and determination to rid their country of his rule.
And that's exactly what Canadians did do this week. With a voter turnout of almost 70%, the largest turnout in 22 Years.
From a personal standpoint I'm extremely happy at the result. As one who loves and admires Canada and is relieved to see it returning to the Canada I knew in the early years of my summers there.
And best of all Canada has shown that it is possible to return a country to Democracy. All we have to do is vote.
Oh Canada!
4 comments:
I appreciate your kind comments, Hugh. This is my opinion of how Stephen Harper came to power in a multiparty system. Many Canadians were disillusioned with the Liberal party (traditionally a mainly centre party) due to corruption and the Sponsorship scandals. The left of centre New Democrats were splintered by the break off of the Green Party, and in this election they seemed to have moved away from their left wing socialist ideals in order to court the vote. The separatists in Quebec are French Nationalists (an early leader was from the Liberals, but they seem to have moved right of centre). They have been always stirring the pot of old wrongs and winning Quebec seats, some of which have now reverted to Liberal). So four parties have held seats. It has been years since a Communist has held a seat in Parliament, but there is usually an independent or two. So we had two successive Minority governments in a row. Tired of minority government, and reluctant to vote Liberal again with leaders with no ability to connect with the voters, Harper got a majority by default, and by electoral boundaries in need of reform. Justin has the makings of our greatest Prime Minister ever. We are optimistic about the future. He is intelligent, compassionate and consultative. Good qualities, and has the numbers in the House of Commons (our legislature) to carry out the platform, which our Senate can look at, and reconsider, but not block. Interesting four years ahead!
You've really explained a very complicated political situation in great detail and very succinctly so that even someone "from away" can understand. I'm heartened to hear you say Justin could be such a great leader. He seems to be a very well balanced guy with the right instincts and good intentions so lacking in those driven to success in the political system. His "unfair" advantage of being "born" to lead I think will turn out to be a blessing as what appears is such a good and natural leader. I hope and think he will bring Canada to the forefront of world discussions. A good thing indeed for the World!
Thanks for your comment!
You are welcome!. More good news! Justin has invited his opposition leaders and the provincial premiers (regardless of their political affiliation) to join him at the Climate Change Conference!! This collaboration is new to us- could it be a model for a better world?
Where is it to be? Will they all go?
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