AXE THE ANNEX AND MORE FROM DAY 1 OF 37 DAYS OF HOPE AND CHANGE FOR CANADA
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com — OPINION
PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA — A “snap election” (no surprise there) uniting Canadians at their most vulnerable arguably since the Second World War is a glass half full.
If the world was built in seven days, we have 30 days beyond that to reshape Canada before April 28. Five weeks to get our house in order or unimaginably lose it.
“It’s time for all of us to come together,” nine-day Prime Minister Mark Carney said in making the election call this afternoon.
We can only hope and pray — as the PM did this morning before asking Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon to allow him to go to the people for a fourth liberal mandate (majority), which the polls now show could actually happen (174-134).
Pierre Poilievre said “hope and change are on the way.”
Carney said the same. The other parties would like to see political change least.
Both are right — and left. Or centre right.
One way or the other things will change.
“Canada Strong,” said Carney Sunday. If we “unite, invest and build Canada, there is so much more can be.”
Poilievre continues his hope of dividing and conquering. Not unlike Trump past and present.
Given the past few months anything is possible in politics. Ask Justin Trudeau, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Canadians all bank on us not becoming a 51st state. “Never will be,” said PM.
But American influence on culture and economics has long been tolerated if not accepted.
Carney said Poilievre “worships at the altar of the free market” and would genuflect before “Tariff Trump” and not stand up to 47.
Which sounds awfully interventionist and socialist for a banker who proved a quick earner and learner given his first day of hustings.
Cutting taxes to allow more investment to become an “energy super power” was another centre right utterance of his.
Is that fiscally responsible?
In St. John’s on his first foray on the trail — in front a crowd of NL candidates and someone waving a hockey stick with a Canadian flag on it — the PM referred to the Conservative as favouring the American melting pot.
A sign of troubled times was when Carney mentioned Danielle Smith and the crowd booed. Sounded like Canadians giving the Bronx cheer for the American anthem; love the province if not the leader.
Was that a united Canadian, eh? Or an un-united state of these un-neighbourly times?
DEI is yet to appear in the Conservatives’ iPoli play book.
But fortress Canada is front and centre-right — and far left.
Axe the annex. Motherhood and maple syrup. Don’t F with poutine.
Mon due! Il n’en est pas parle francais.
I have no idea. But these six party leaders had better and fast.
Score three political points for Carney: carbon tax, capital gains — and Mike Myers.
The latter a Liberal ad rink side an assist from “elbows up” originator riffing on a funny pop quiz on Canada watched by millions now.
The puck didn’t stop there. Goalie Carney was chopping ankles with the effectiveness of Billy Smith in an Islanders net and lashing out making in personal attacks like George Foreman roasting his main opponent on a Foreman Grill.
Poilievre is counter punching with accusations that Carney cashed in while Canadians struggled.
Jagmeet Singh, likewise attempted to “tell it like it is.” But his political prescription for winning worker votes will be like pulling teeth.
And watch for the slogan du jour from all parties.
Day 2 of “The great Canadian navel gazing” continues tomorrow.
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