Carney wins
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
The journey has just begun.
As our new history as a nation begins to unfold Canadians may well anticipate much turmoil and consternation with our current state of flux and future concerns. It’s both exhilarating and terrifying. Its almost straight out of a novel, ‘It was the best of times it was the worst of times’…
But truly – the future of Canada really does start with today. How well our leaders choose to adapt and adjust to our election yesterday – and how we follow suit in our support or rebuff – will determine how this nation moves forward despite the challenges and threats.
Hugely influenced by the moron to our south and his various decisions including global disruption tariffs, our new government must find a way to unite Canadians after an election that nearly tore us to shreds. If we are to succeed in surviving the first six months of our new government then the motivating and empowering victory speech by Mark Carney must rule the day.
Carney’s key words asking for ‘ending the division’ and moving Canada forward included ‘ambition, humility and unity’.
“I begin with the value of humility, and I have much to be humble about, humility underscore the need to work collaboratively’ in parliament.
“This is the time to unite, to work together to survive. Show some humility.” He suggested Canadians need to have the ambition and be ‘bold’ to meet the crisis (Trump) with an overwhelming force of moving forward.
I was impressed to see that as a rookie politician with such quick success at the game Carney so far does not appear to have forgotten his humble roots. Hopefully he can maintain his respect for protocol and process and keep his ego in check – a failure many rookie leaders (at all levels of government) make when taking positions of power with no previous political experience. How his opponents are willing to work with him will be key to Canada’s survival.
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was clearly and understandably not happy with the day. He failed to win his own Carleton, Ontario riding, which forbode the end of the day. In his speech he acknowledged Carney’s victory referring to the results as a, ‘razor thin minority government’, but said he would work with the government in dealing with the United States. He did not step down as leader of the Conservatives and talked about his determination to continue to move forward with the Conservatives in the future.
Some political pundits suggest that may not be in his hands. Others are unsure if Poilievre stays in – how he can do so without a riding? Does he take an elected member’s seat?
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh offered congratulations to Carney saying, “tonight we are all on Team Canada.”
Final results are still being tallied but their poor showing leaves the NDP party in a state of despair.
However, the most disturbing, and disappointing dark moment of the evening was a disgusting verbal slurring of Ontario Premier Doug Ford by Conservative Jamil Jivani whose tirade was bitter and borderline. It certainly did not help the Conservative cause, and it will be interesting to see what transpires from his temper tantrum.
With the tightness of this election, British Columbia votes and voters actually had some significant impact on the election results rather than being an afterthought.
On both the provincial and local level I admit to being torn between cheering for the parties versus individuals. While I personally feel the Liberals and Carney are the choices we need now to move us forward through the ugly muddy days ahead of us, there are some friends or folks I know well that I’m happy or sad with the results they faced.
First and foremost is the battle still to be finalized in the Kelowna riding battle between Liberal Stephen Fuhr and Conservative Tracy Gray. I had the pleasure and joy of sitting next to Tracy on Kelowna City Council for a full term and experienced firsthand her knowledge, political savvy and integrity as a person and politician. I have also known and worked with Fuhr a great deal in the past and know his integrity and honesty as well. It is indeed one riding where the electorate is fortunate to have two excellent choices. As this column was submitted Fuhr was leading the battle by 170 votes.
I am thrilled with Helena Konanz winning the MP role in Similkameen-South Okanagan. A wise, dedicated Penticton Councillor in the past she is a hardworking, reliable voice.
Going forward, I’m convinced Canada’s fate truly is in our own hands with what we have built today. We have the potential to overcome the many challenges if we truly do unite. Our greatest threat is internal – not Trump. United we can overcome.
We need ALL the provinces to work together as one nation. Most important I believe is that we need Alberta to work with the rest of the nation,
As I submit this – advance poll and special polls are being finalized.
