Canadians Express Desire for Change, Not Radical Overhaul

Jaime De La Calle, Guest ColumnistJaime De La Calle is a Toronto-based wordsmith, educator, and the brainchild behind De La Calle Communications. Connect with her at [email protected].

In a surprising twist, Canada voted decisively this week, opting for a reshuffle but not a total overhaul.

Mark Carney's ascension to Prime Minister, paired with the eviction of NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, signified a desire for a new direction, yet not an extreme one.

The Canadians' disenchantment with Justin Trudeau's decade-long tenure was evident—familiarity, after all, can breed contempt. As Trudeau's Liberals stumbled and fumbled, Canadians yearned for someone new. Upon announcing his departure in March, Carney became the Liberal leader and Prime Minister, a role he solidified earlier this week.

Centrist and globally renowned for his economic prowess, Carney stood as a calmer and steadier alternative to Poilievre's political populism, which bore certain resemblances to President Donald Trump's rhetoric. The recent election was not about championing daring new visions but rather bolting down the hatches against economic uncertainty and warding off a Conservatism many perceived as akin to Trumpism.

Sadly, the NDP paid the price on the altar of strategic voting, and perhaps a little due to that familiarity fatigue creeping in as well.

According to Elections Canada, over 19 million Canadians (67.4 per cent) - out of 28.5 million eligible voters -participated, marking a moderate increase from the 63 per cent participation in the 2021 election. It was clear that Canadians wanted a voice in who would guide the country and how they would govern.

The Conservatives gained seats, but their leader fell from his long-held seat in the Carleton riding. For some, Poilievre's aggressive demeanor rubbed them the wrong way—he's a formidable attack dog, making enemies easily. For others, it was his pursuit of an ostensible "anti-wokeness," which some felt was an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across various institutions.

Poilievre's definition of "woke" has always been misty, making it difficult to pin down. In a recent conversation with The Canadian Press, he explained, "After a lost decade of divisive Liberal governance, creating animosity among Canadians and weakening our military, we must put Canada first." Poilievre also criticized the Liberals' "criminal justice agenda" and their "spending agenda."

The term "woke" emerged from African American communities, standing for an awareness of racial injustice. Over time, it expanded to encompass broader social justice issues.

However, the culture war didn't resonate enough to secure Poilievre's seat.

The Conservatives did indeed gain more seats compared to the 2021 election, but this wasn't a landslide Liberal triumph condemning the right. Instead, it suggests that the Conservatives tapped into genuine concerns—the desire for more affordable housing, lower inflation, and less taxation. What the public didn't want was the chaos and constant conflict reminiscent of Trump's early presidency.

Now, as Carney selects his first elected cabinet and plots his course, the hard work begins. Canadians chose competence over potential chaos and practicality over populism. They rejected extremism but didn't grant the Liberals a blank check.

No, Canadians don't want the divisive, us-versus-them populism of Trump, with its anti-immigration and anti-intellectualism, taking root in our values and politics. We desire change, but we also need a strong, capable leader to guide our nation forward.

And let's not forget, the NDP has long represented the conscious of Canada. Their loss of party status doesn't just stem from a poorly executed campaign—it feels like a national sacrifice.

We sought change but not a rerun. Now, it's up to Carney to show that we made the right choice.

With continued #elbowsup.

Opinion columns reflect the author's opinions and analyses of facts, figures, and events. For additional context, consider the political landscape and leadership changes of the 2021 Canadian federal election, Pierre Poilievre's legacy as a Conservative leader, and the ongoing relevance of the discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion movements in Canada.

The recently concluded Canadian election highlighted a desire for a new direction, with Mark Carney's ascension to Prime Minister, following Justin Trudeau's departure.
This election was less about championing new visions and more about securing stability against economic uncertainty, bolting down the hatches against potential Trumpism.
However, the NDP paid the price on the altar of strategic voting, with familiarity fatigue playing a role in their loss of party status.
Nearly 19 million Canadians participated in the election, marking a moderate increase from the 2021 election, demonstrating a strong desire for a voice in the country's governance.
Poilievre's aggressive demeanor and perceived attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts were factors in his loss, as were concerns over his "anti-wokeness."
The term "woke" originated from African American communities, standing for an awareness of racial injustice, but its meaning hasexpanded to encompass broader social justice issues.
The Conservatives gained more seats compared to the 2021 election, indicating a surfacing of genuineconcerns about affordable housing, inflation, and taxation, but not a desire for the divisive populism associated with President Trump.
Now, as Carney selects his first cabinet and plots his course, it's up to him to show that Canadians made the right choice, striving for change while maintaining a strong, capable leadership.