Sore Losers

Having stayed up late last night watching the election returns, I really hadn't intended to post anything today, but comments by a Conservative MP altered my intent, so a few short observations follow.

Now I am no fan of Doug Ford; I see him as a largely incompetent man but a very successful politician, and it is that success which is engendering envy and anger at the federal level - to the point he is being blamed for PP's loss last night.

“He couldn’t stay out of our business, always getting his criticisms and all his opinions out, distracting our campaign, trying to make it about him, trying to position himself as some kind of political genius that we needed to be taking cues from,” a furious Tory MP Jamil Jivani (Bowmanville-Oshawa North) told CBC’s David Common in a candid interview.

“I see Doug Ford as a problem for Ontario and for Canada,” said Jivani, who once worked as an aide in the premier’s office at Queen’s Park.

“He’s not doing a great job in running this province, and now he’s trying to exercise his influence over other levels of government and it’s not like this guy is doing anything particularly well,” he said after telling supporters in Durham that Ford “sabotaged” the federal party.

Apparently, part of Ford's perfidy was making nice with Liberals.

“He has taken the provincial Conservative party and turned it into something hollow, unprincipled, something that doesn’t solve problems. He’s gladhanding with (Transport Minister) Chrystia Freeland, having coffees and lattes with Mark Carney.”

Obviously a clone of his take-no-prisoners boss, who rarely has met a bipartisan gesture he doesn't like, grace notes are not part of Jivani's makeup.

His apoplexy was probably worsened by Ford's post election congratulations.

“I want to congratulate Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election victory. I also want to thank Pierre Poilievre, Jagmeet Singh and every candidate who put their name on a ballot for their service to our democracy,” the premier said.

“This election comes at a crucial time for Ontario and for Canada. Workers, families and businesses are navigating the economic uncertainty caused by President Trump’s tariffs and they are counting on all levels of government to work together to protect Canada,” he said.

“As premier of Ontario, I look forward to working with Prime Minister Carney to protect the workers, businesses and communities of Ontario and Canada.”

Unlike those who adhere to PP's philosophy, poisonous partisanship is not part of Ford's makeup.

In an interview published Sunday with Politico, he was asked why Poilievre hadn’t made an effort to call him earlier.

... I think it’s common sense when you’re in an election, you reach across to as many people as you can,” said the premier, pointing out the federal Tory leader also has no relationship with Nova Scotia PC Premier Tim Houston.

“Not at all. Or local mayors. Or anyone. I don’t understand it,” said Ford, adding Poilievre had to be forced to phone him on the eve of the federal election call.

PP's party is down but hardly out. Even though the leader himself lost his seat, that will no doubt be remedied by a Conservative giving up their own win. However, he and his party need to ask themselves whether it was simply an unfortunate confluence of Trump tariffs and annexation threats that explain the results of an election that was theirs to lose. And part of that soul-searching must begin with the man at the top.

 

Why I Cast My Vote The Way I Did

As I wrote the other day, my wife and I cast our vote at an advance poll, and as noted, the large turnout, reflected in many other stations as well, was very encouraging. Canadians clearly understand there is much at stake here.

Had the Trump threats and tariffs not emerged, and had Trudeau remained head of a tired party, I likely would have voted NDP. All political parties need a periodic time out in order to renew and rejuvenate. To me, that is all part of a healthy democracy. With the emergence of Mark Carney, however, the choice was clear, and I won't bother going into the reasons, already widely discussed in the media, about why he seems to be the man of the hour, and Pierre Poilievre is not.

A few letters to the editor seem to capture the tenure of the times.

Things to consider before you vote

We will have a federal election in less than two weeks. Forgetting the political party affiliations, let us look at what the two leading candidates for prime minister are offering.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is a professional politician. All his adult life, he has done nothing but be a politician. He has not seen the outside world besides the Parliament walls around him. His resume could read: I have been a hounding and berating opposition politician throughout my career. And I am pretty good at it.

Poilievre does not want to face the press, lest they ask questions not to his liking. He does not want to get his security clearance, leading Canadians to question what he is hiding.. He has no humility. 

Liberal Leader Mark Carney is new to politics. Carney is bound to make political mistakes. He is  well educated and has a wealth of experience both in Canada and abroad. He has seen the world and experienced the financial problems facing Canada and the world. He knows how to tackle the problems created by this stupid tariff war. 

Put your thinking hats on before choosing the prime minister.

Aziz Rehman, Brampton, ON

Have you noticed how Liberal Leader Mark Carney usually just talks to the press, without any notes? He just wings it, because he knows what he is talking about, and doesn’t need to read it. And he says it so succinctly. The other candidate, however, is always looking down at his notes. He needs to read it because he doesn’t know it, like Carney does. Which one would you rather vote for? The one who knows his stuff, or the one who doesn’t? Just a telling observation, of body language.

John Dawson, Scarborough, ON

Decade of Liberal rule achieved a lot

I am tired of hearing “the lost Liberal decade” and “Canada is broken” tirades and would like to mention some of the Trudeau government’s achievements.

The Liberals negotiated with U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed to a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the CUSMA. The COVID-19 pandemic came, and we were kept safe and secure by the work of the Liberals: CERB, protective equipment and vaccines. Canada had fewer deaths than most other countries. After COVID, came inflation: Why? Supply chains were broken because of COVID shutdowns; Canadians had large savings, largely from CERB, so that demand was up and supply was down. This drives up inflation, as any economist knows. And we came out of inflation quicker and better than most countries. You cannot blame the Trudeau government for inflation but that is all Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre shouted about in the last two years.

Other achievements include the Canada Child Benefit, the national child-care plan, dental care and pharma care. And let’s not forget taking action on   Indigenous issues.  So let’s give credit where credit is due and know that Canada is not broken and we have not lost a decade with Liberal rule. Oh, and former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper was not able to build a single pipeline while Trudeau bought the Trans Mountain Pipeline and tripled its capacity. 

Alberto Sarthou, Toronto

And finally, this missive from The Globe and Mail.

As the election looms, I am reminded of the snake fable where a person is walking in the forest and is met by a snake who convinces the individual to pick it up. The person was hesitant, but then weakened, having been convinced by the snake that he won’t hurt them.

Trustingly, the person picks the snake up and the snake soon bites them. Shocked, the person cries out at being misled, double-crossed and hurt, to which the snake replies: “You knew what I was when you picked me up.”

I will remember that fable at the voting booth. I hope others do, too, because one’s track record is an excellent indicator of future deliverables.

June Donaldson Calgary

A Good Day

    

                          

Yesterday was a good day. We went to the advance poll to cast our vote, and the turnout was robust; in fact, the entire process took over an hour. Despite the long wait, almost everyone, young and old, able and disabled, remained, stoically standing as the lines snaked toward the ballot box.

Ours was not an isolated experience, as people are keenly aware of the importance of this election.

Canadians packed polling stations and stood in long lineups in cities across the country on Friday as advance voting in the upcoming federal election officially got underway.

A queue snaked outside the voting centre on Smythe Street in Fredericton, as people waited, some with their dogs, others with young children in strollers or holding their parents' hands.

Some were in line for more than 45 minutes to cast their vote on a sunny and cool spring afternoon.

“It feels more important to vote and make sure we keep having the country that we want,” said Nicole Bent, who is going to Nova Scotia for a few weeks and decided to vote early so she didn’t miss the chance to cast her ballot.

Bent said the election feels different this time because of recent actions and statements from United States President Donald Trump.

She voted Liberal.

“It’s voting for the man, not the party. Which man we want in there,” said Bent, referring to party leader Mark Carney.

Mark Kunkle, who also voted in Fredericton, said he runs his own business and the first day of voting seemed like a quiet and good day to go to the polls.

“Well, all elections are important, but in this particular case, it's pretty, pretty important because the future (of the country) is going to be decided,” said Kunkle, who came to the poll with his dog.

One quick note: if the long lineups deter you, be aware that you can go to any Elections Canada office to cast your advance vote. A friend of mine chose that option yesterday as his wife is temporarily disabled and could not vote at their advance poll because of a 45-minute wait. You will find all of the information for this option on your voter registration card or by clicking here.

A Good Friday Bonus

 Theo Moudakis never disappoints.