Government we elect will have unprecedented tasks to perform

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Sometimes we have to do things that we really don’t want to do but we know that doing those things are for the best in the end. New parents really don’t like getting up at 2am and 4am and 6 am to feed the baby. Who likes cleaning out the cat litter box? Shovelling snow is not really that much fun. Do we always have to be polite to that annoying neighbour?

In the world of politics, unpopular decisions have to be made sometimes. Usually this is restricted to our elected representatives and the civil service or military leaders, etc. But in this election the unpopular decisions are on our, the voters, shoulders. It can’t get any more grass roots than this.

The government we elect on April 28 will have unprecedented tasks to perform. It must ensure that Canadians are protected from the assault from the USA. It must protect those Canadians most affected by the unfair tariffs who find themselves unemployed because of Trump’s policies. It must make economic decisions that help reduce our cost of living now and ensure future growth for Canada in a changing world. Foreign policy must be made sound; military spending must be managed, and taxation must be kept to the minimum. It must prepare for the unexpected events that may lay ahead. And on it goes.

If you traditionally vote for the federal Conservatives, the NDP, or the the Greens, you may have to do something you don’t want to do: give your vote for the party which has the best qualified leader and team that will do the best job in the current world conditions. For now that appears to be the federal Liberals. In a few years it may be the Conservatives or the NDP or the Greens. But not now.

Populist Conservative Pierre Poilievre’s ties to Trump’s policies are too close. In an interview on a right wing US media outlet recently, Alberta’s premier Danielle Smith said: “The perspective Pierre would bring would be very much in sync with…the new direction in America”. Poilievre’s three word catch phrases and demonizing labels he gives to those opposed to him mirror those of Trump. In a recent speech, Poilievre suggested Mark Carney is no different that Trudeau “because he has a banker’s haircut and wears a pair of blue socks.” He is not the adult in the room we desperately need right now.

We must not allow divided politics to grow here as it is in the USA. It is time for a unified front across Canada. To achieve this many of us will just have do something we would not normally do: cast a Liberal vote on April 28. Its the right thing to do. Now.

Nigel Sivel
Wellington