The tone and first steps of our newly-minted federal government have me cautiously optimistic.
As of Nov. 4, we have a new prime minister, a new cabinet, and former leader Stephen Harper is off to new ventures (and perhaps to have an airport named after him).
The positive tone of this new government was apparently done on purpose. It almost sounded naive when Liberal leader Justin Trudeau wrapped up the first Maclean’s federal leader’s debate thusly:
“We are who we are and Canada is what it is because in our hearts we’ve always known that better is always possible.”
Nice line. Nice sentiment. Very Canadian. But how would that translate into actual policy?
In a shocker, it turned out that the Liberal platform actually turned out to be the most appealing option to voters. The party’s choice to run deficit budgets to finance campaign promises was a risky manoeuvre, but ultimately might be the one that won them the election. And they did it all without talking about niqabs or barbarism or haircuts.
The new 31-member Liberal cabinet is a mix of fresh faces and familiar political players (including everyone’s favourite nervous uncle, Stéphane Dion). The cabinet is notable for the number of women appointed, half of the cabinet – which, in 2015, should not be referred to as “notable,” but, baby steps – and includes 18 first-timers who won seats on Oct. 19.
It figures that Members of Parliament (MPs) appointed to certain ministries should probably know things about that ministry. So it’s nice to see someone like Kirsty Duncan appointed as Science Minister (she is a scientist). Or Marc Garneau appointed as Transport Minister (he is an astronaut). Those appointments, you know, make sense.
Don’t forget Calgary Centre MP Kent Hehr, who won a nailbiter against incumbent Joan Crockatt on election night, appointed as Veterans Affairs Minister. Hehr was paralyzed in 1991 after being hit by a drive-by shooter.
So plenty of visible minorities, gender equality, representatives from all over the country and picks who actually know things about their respective positions. It seems to me like a cabinet that effectively represents Canada and the best it has to offer.
There will be bumps along the road and this government won’t be perfect. But how we function as a country has so much to do with the tone set by our leaders. Making diversity and experience a priority when picking representatives for the ministry says good things about the current mindset in Ottawa.
So colour me optimistic. It’s easy to be cynical about politics and immediately distrust those who get into power. But cynicism, of course, doesn’t lead anywhere. Here’s a new prime minister who specifically ran on an idealistic platform and our country’s chance at being “better.” At least with his first step, it appears we’re headed that way.
