----  Re-inventing Canada’s future

 

Hints from the Trudeau government of a snap election beg the question, will the election be between the two traditional stalwarts, Liberals and Conservatives, or will it realistically include the NDP and the Greens?

Traditionalists may not see the need for “third” parties; to them, these parties merely muddy the election issues.

But look at our history. Canada's post-war boom brought prosperity to many. The economy was based on the materialism that burst from war-time shortages and rationing. As the economy boomed, Medicare blossomed, pensions were delivered and housing was plentiful. Food was transported from all over the world. Life for ordinary Canadians was getting better.

This wouldn't last. The traditional parties eyed the growing wealth. Politicians were captured by the wealthy, those who could lobby and who directed economic and fiscal measures. The rich wanted a bigger share. The ideologically fuzzy traditional parties offered what they sought.

This was the Reagan, Thatcher, Mulroney era. "Trickle-down economy" became the new watchword. Tax and fiscal measures lowered taxes for the wealthier but boosted taxes and the burdens of economic growth onto the middle class. These governments made few efforts to help those economic ally squeezed. Whereas post-war families needed one income for a good living,  more and more it took two income-earners to keep up. 

Today Canada needs a re-haul of its outlook. Why is it so difficult to institute a pharmacare program to help people get their medications? Why is day-care so difficult to implement?  Although CEO’s make $20,000 a day guiding media giants, we can't afford high-speed internet in every corner of our great nation. Clearly, Canada needs the imagination, ideals and the vision of "third" parties.

The NDP and Greens re-imagine a future built on a green economy, moving from the dinosaur energy of tar-sands fuels to sustainable and clean air, wind, and water energies.  Social and economic justice must be companion elements in their platforms. This is how climate change challenges can be overcome.

The Trudeau government broke its promise to end first-past-the-post elections because it saw the NDP and Greens benefiting from proportional voting.  Isn't it clear that we need the NDP and the Greens? They offer new direction and hope, but they need our real support to help Canada build its future.

Carl Hager