Thursday 22 October 2015

Election Results

I live in Calgary, heart of the oil business. Harperland, I like to call it. I'm one of the few people I know who is happy with this election's results. Scrolling through my facebook feed, one gets the impression the sky is falling.

People, let's take a step back and look at this rationally. For those of you arguing that this has been a dark week for Canada, I argue that one cannot possibly claim to "love Canada" without loving the Liberal Party. In my opinion, the Liberal Party represents the heart of what Canada stands for. This is a country that stands for equality, a country founded on multiculturalism. It isa country people come to in order to escape persecution and find happiness. Over the past decade, Stephen Harper and his Conservative Party have strayed farther and farther from these ideals.

Universal health care, bilingualism and multiculturalism, The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, same-sex marriage. We owe all these things to the Liberals. Will anyone argue that these things are not what Canada stands for?

The Liberal Party has been in power for almost seventy percent of Canada's history, 69 years in the last century. Are they perfect? No I think it is dangerous for any party to hold power for too long, even the party I predominantly support. I actually think the events of the past ten years, as abhorrent as they, are for the long term betterment of the party, as it has forced them to get in touch with the people again.

I am optimistic for the next few years, more so than I have been in a while. I think Harper was a dangerous, racist, and borderline fascist leader that only big businesses have any reason to miss. Seriously. Do you make six figures? No? Then you aren't going to be affected economically by this shift in power.

Trudeau isn't perfect. He has flaws. I don't agree with everything he stands for (his support for Bill C-51, for example). But I think he truly loves this country: he loves its people, and he loves what it stands for. Canada needs a leader with these qualities, a ruler that truly represents the people.

Here's an example. For those complaining about the first past the post voting system... Trudeau is planning on reforming this system, despite the fact it could likely harm his chances at reelection, because the will of the people. I know some people are skeptical about whether he'll continue through with that promise, but I, personally, like to think he will.

A final point for my Harperland friends, mourning the loss of  "their prime minister"... I urge you to look at some international news sources. Have a look at how people have been talking about Canada. Stephen Harper has done a lot to tarnish the name of the nation we all love.

I'll leave you with this terrible pun that made me chuckle.