The recent federal election was one that was filled with surprises. But what was not unexpected was the sharp political divide that exists in Canada with the two main national parties, The Liberal Party and the Conservative Party, essentially splitting the popular vote. That division also was exhibited somewhat between voters in eastern Canada and voters in western Canada. It also was shown between voters living in urban areas and those in rural areas.
With another minority government in Ottawa, it would be easy, and perhaps likely, to assume another federal election isn’t that far away. And while that may be true, it doesn’t mean there isn’t important work that needs to happen before then.
At the top of that list is dealing with the tariff war that has been launched on Canada and much of the world by the Trump administration in the United States. The scattershot of tariffs, some of which were enacted without any justification or rationale, are already resulting in job losses. This is clearly a top priority of the federal government, as demonstrated by the visit this week to the White House by the Prime Minister, and a cause that all political parties can be united on. In addition, while Canada has always been a union that has factions that desired separation as a goal, for most of our history those have been most intensely felt in Quebec.
However, increasingly, talk of separation from Canada has been heard more clearly from Alberta with a new process (centered on citizen signatures) raising the real concern of a separation referendum in that province. The new Prime Minister must also spend time trying to heal the divide that is felt in Western Canada from decisions that have been made in Ottawa. This is also a cause that all political parties, while perhaps differing in approach, should be united in.
For Manitoba, where political division is also a reality, there is a great deal at stake in the negotiations on tariffs and on the need to keep Canada united. A province that is tied geographically both to the eastern and western part of our nation and which relies heavily on trade with our southern neighbors, Manitoba has a vested interest in the outcomes of these two national imperatives.
The reality is that for all that seems to divide us, there are as many if not more that unite us. Even across political party lines this is true and free trade agreements and national unity are crucial regardless of which political party is in government in Ottawa.
As is so often the case in our country’s history, we can look to hockey as an example of how our country can come together. Anyone who has been fortunate in Manitoba to attend a recent Winnipeg Jets playoff game, attend a White Out street party or even host friends to watch the game at home, knows the power of people united behind a common goal. In the crowds of thousands of cheering fans, nobody is wondering what political party the people cheering beside them support. After victories as strangers high five strangers, it doesn’t matter who voted for who.
The fact is that we have divisions in our country as they do in all countries. But we have a great deal that also unites us. And those issues deserve focus and attention as well.
