Canada's Political Landscape: Who's in Charge of What?

Whispering in the Wind (WITW 95) October 28, 2015

While Justin Trudeau basks in the glory of an election win his two main adversaries are licking their wounds (and egos) – both questioning how they allowed the Liberal upstart to move from a third place standing, at the beginning of the campaign, to win a Liberal, “majority” government.  Thomas Mulcair seems to have taken the high road saying in his concession speech:  “Canadians have asked us all to work for them.  We will not let them down.”  Mr. Mulcair’s remarks suggest that he will likely continue to lead the NDP for at least the next year or two, if only to see how the Liberal leader stacks up to his 171 promises.  If Mr. Mulcair is to survive, he will have to tone down his angry rhetoric and prove that his view of “leftist” politics is unique to that of the Liberal view – at the same time, paying particular attention to what is best for the people of Quebec.  As to Stephen Harper’s views on his party’s election losses, he offered to his electoral base:  “While tonight’s result is certainly not the one we had hoped for, the people are never wrong … Know also this as well, the disappointment you also feel is my responsibility and mine alone.”  It is understandable that Mr. Harper was disappointed, even devastated by the election results but I am confused as to why he left it up to the party organization to announce his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party of Canada.  It might be an ego thing and he just didn’t want to face reporters with numerous questions about his election loss but I am more suspicious – something more serious is afoot within the Conservative Party itself.  Mr. Harper’s decision to resign as party leader and stick around as a Member of Parliament will have some interesting and revealing consequences.  In the meantime Conservatives will be selecting an “interim” leader (at least three are in contention) and scheduling a “permanent” leadership selection process (that will take at least a year or two) – so who is going to be pulling the strings of power within the Conservative Party of Canada, a party that is obviously fractured?

Remembering October 22, 2014

It is almost exactly a year since Canadians experienced the appalling act of “domestic” terrorism on Parliament Hill – the shooting of unarmed honor guard Corporal Nathan Cirillo at Canada’s National War Memorial in Ottawa.  The event shocked the confidence of many Canadians and eventually allowed the prime minister of the day to pass legislation (C-51).  The legislation allowed for increased/expanded security measures to fight terrorism activity both within Canada and elsewhere.  Liberal leader Justin Trudeau supported the government’s anti-terrorism measures because of immediate circumstances, but also said that if he was elected prime minister, he would amend the legislation to protect certain freedoms of Canadians.  As well Trudeau recommended that the government study the “root causes” of home grown terrorism – Stephen Harper pooh-poohed Mr. Trudeau’s idea, suggesting that such studies were just academic pursuits – a few weeks later, the Harper government initiated studies on the causes of terrorism.  While political circumstances have dramatically changed since the death of Corporal Cirillo the question remains, how can a country like Canada deal with terrorism threats and retain freedom of dissent?  How prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau deals with the treats of terrorism, conflict and dissension will be one of the top issues the new Liberal government will have to address – and it’s not going to be easy task.  My thought on what has to be his first step; Mr. Trudeau will have to clearly distinguish between the rights and freedoms of individual Canadians and the individual’s responsibility to respect / follow the standards set by Canada’s society and its constitution.