The election is over, and Canada won by casting their ballots for the Liberals with Mark Carney as prime minister.
Sadly, they are 4 seats short of a majority, so they will need to use diplomacy to ensure enough support from other parties to govern effectively. I can't see a problem in the foreseeable.
Unfortunately, the Cons also increased their vote share, which is difficult to fathom. I saw the choice as being between and strong, independent nation under Carney against how a Trump-subservient leader like Poilievre would likely kiss the ring. The majority of Canadians seemed to agree. I think that people who voted Blue (Conservative) in these circumstances, would likely vote Con, no matter what. In my opinion, it is blind loyalty like that that leads to a political disaster of Trumpian proportions. Regardless, whatever the future holds, we can now look forward to four years of good, independent, pro-Canadian governance.
In his victory speech, Mr Carney talked about humility, which I think is a almost a national attribute. The whole speech is here in text form. If you want to watch the full 20 minute speech (I don't), here it is.
Following is an small excerpt in which he speaks of the present reality of Canada's relationship, or lack of same, with Trump's America. It makes me sad and also determined.
Our old relationship with the United States, a relationship based on steadily increasing integration, is over. The system of open global trade anchored by the United States, a system that Canada has relied on since the Second World War, a system that well not perfect has helped deliver prosperity for a country for decades, is over.
But it’s also our new reality.
We are over the shock of the American betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to look out for ourselves and above all we have to take care of each other.
When I sit down with President Trump, it will be to discuss the future economic and security relationship between two sovereign nations. And it will be with our full knowledge that we have many, many other options than the United States to build prosperity for all Canadians.
I was hoping for a majority but he got so close. I am glad 😊 he got elected. Francois Legault, our Quebec premier is not happy about the fact that Carney has said that if Bill 96 on the French language issue goes to the Supreme Court he will be there to fight for the English speaker's rights.
ReplyDeleteI hope Carney does fight for our rights. My mother tongue is English and even though I am fluent in French I don't think anyone should have their rights taken away.
ReplyDeleteApparently, people are now allowed to say, Go Habs Go. 😀
DeleteWould you believe the STM, our public transit system changed the Go Canadiens Go! To Allez Canadiens Allez! because the ridiculous OQLF (Office Quebecoise de la Langue Francaise), our so called language police, made a complaint about the Go word??? This is new, in the last week or so. They are nitpicking, but then again, what else is new with this group?
DeleteBy the way, STM is the Montreal transit, couldn't edit my post. :)
DeleteThanks
DeleteSane people here in the US are celebrating the outcome as well. Carney has the willpower to stand up to Trump and the economic expertise to do it effectively. Anything that can bring Trump to heel, and get him to back down from some of the policies that threaten all countries' economies, will benefit everybody.
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed.
DeleteI was very relieved at Carney's victory! Not a perfect situation but a million times better than what we're dealing with here. :(
ReplyDeleteHe has a lot of experience. He’ll need it.
DeleteSo glad to see the Liberals win. There's hope for our mid-terms with a Democratic win back of the House and Senate. It would mean important oversight of tRump White House and impeachment and conviction!
ReplyDeleteI keep worrying that T may do something to forestall the next election.
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ReplyDeleteIt boggles my mind how some folks are so stubborn about how they vote. I swear, if you poked them, they'd bleed their political party colour!
That pretty well sums it up, especially here in The Valley.
DeleteI am also glad the Liberals won. I hope Trump will settle down about Canada, but I suspect he's still got some retribution moves up his sleeves.
ReplyDeleteHe and Carney will meet. I am not sure what T’s next move will be.
DeleteIt sounds to me as if Canada is merely following suit of us and becoming more political divisive. You have my condolences.
ReplyDeleteThe Cons are very united but still not a majority.
DeleteI understand that the progressives and the liberals are very likely to work together and I am glad for that. This conservatism needs to be held in check. Tim and I both celebrated your country's common sense. I think that Carney is just the leader needed in these days.
ReplyDeleteYay! It has been quite interesting the last four months. I feel more secure with Carney, for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe next period will be difficult. Liberals will be walking a bit of a tightrope. The Cons will not call for an election right away but very soon they will make it difficult for parliament to operate.
ReplyDeleteFour votes should be navigable for quite some time.
DeleteHurrah! Nice to.have a sane government to.our north.
ReplyDeletethank you
DeleteI'm pleased Mark Carney won and hope the next four years will be settled and happy.
ReplyDeleteThe future awaits. Apparently, he and Trump will meet.
DeleteOn Tuesday. Unless of course, tRUMP forgets all of it and heads to Rome to campaign to become pope. He's barking mad.
DeleteIt's a relief that Carney won, and hopefully there will be ways the economic disaster may be mitigated (though I don't blame Canada at all for pulling away from the US!) Just remember, tRump isn't my president.
ReplyDeleteI know that. The understanding of most Americans is appreciated.
DeleteI wish he had a majority too, but minority governments can be effective too, although they never last longer than two years. I hope he is a strong opponent to Trump and achieves the unifying and infrastructure goals he outlined as I think they would be good for the entire country. Despite only electing two red seats, almost 30% of us Albertans voted Liberal, so I think this shows that we are less divided than people think. Most Albertans vote blue to protest past broken promises and infrastructure blocking, not because they are MAGA or want to join the US.
ReplyDeletePeople hang onto old grievances, but the future is now.
DeleteGood point.
DeleteI am so thrilled that Carney one, even if he doesn’t have a majority. I keep hearing that Trump really got out the vote in Canada (meaning, people in CA were so horrified by Trump that they got out to vote Red). If that’s true, then there’s a silver lining to this shit storm in which we find ourselves. I find it so hard to believe that T is treating our closest allies so poorly. Perhaps another silver lining will be a stronger Canada and a stronger Europe, less dependent upon the US. I hate that we are such a bad bet right now.
ReplyDeleteI thought he would win, but it was relief to see it happen after what happened in your election.
DeleteHopefully things will be good with him in office.
ReplyDeleteI am so pressed with Carney and thanks for his speech links. I was greatly relieved. Personally, when it comes to trade I think he should cut Trump off at the knees, and I say that knowing how that will affect the US. But after what you've been through and what DT is doing to the world, we deserve it.
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased with the outcome of your election! Shows there are still sane people in the world.
ReplyDeleteAt last some good news!
ReplyDeleteIt was sad to see them come up short, but, yes, a good showing. I think that the area around Toronto has to be considered differently than it was in this campaign. it is obvious that there is disaffection for the government there. Not sure why but the vote shows it. And Alberta should grow up. Yes, they need to sell their oil to be prosperous, but to demand a through pipeline and unlimited tar sand usage is to deny climate problems entirely. Head in the (tar) sand attitude, for me.
ReplyDeleteUnthinking blind loyalty by people he never think too deeply about the facts. I am beyond happy with your election outcome. More than ever. Canada is a city on a hill! Aloha
ReplyDeleteI just wish we were rid of PP!
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