Dialogue

by Eduardo del Buey

Dialogue

After years of clearly divisive politics, Canadians were treated this week to a number of developments that focused on dialogue rather than on diatribes and conflicts.

The first event was a joint meeting featuring former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Despite coming from opposite ends of the political spectrum, they appear to have struck a genuine friendship and personal rapport that transcends party politics at this time of great geopolitical challenges for Canada and, indeed, the world.

Both leaders spoke of the need to change the harsh words Canadian politicians exchange on a daily basis and focus on how great a nation Canada is in the eyes of the world.

Unity was the leitmotif of their cordial exchange as each complemented the other in focusing on Canada’s enviable human, social, and natural resources and how best to use them to create a new national discourse and a united Canada.

Mr. Harper spoke of rising nationalisms around the globe and underscored that Canadians have every right to be proud nationalists. Mr. Chrétien underscored how Canada’s human rights record is the envy of many nations, and how tolerance and diversity contribute to national unity rather that detract from it.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spent years describing Canada as a “post-national state” causing Canadian nationalism to decline to a point at which many Canadians were afraid they were losing their national identity. Indeed, in 2024 polling, 70% surveyed by IPSOS felt Canada was broken.

Playing on identity politics, Mr. Trudeau’s policies seemed to divide Canadians along liguistic and ethnic lines rather than adopt policies aimed at bringing Canadians together under one national canopy with room for all to grow and flourish.

Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has spent much of his political capital responding to the hapless Trudeau government. Polling showed Canadian public opinion, describing Canada as a mess and coming across as negative, thereby making Mr. Carney a more palatable choice once Mr. Trudeau stepped away.

The second event was the unveiling of Mr. Harper’s official portrait in Parliament. In his remarks, Mr: Harper spoke of his vision that, for many years ahead, portraits of all prime ministers of Canada from both parties will continue to be hung in Parliament’s halls.

Inclusive indeed.

The third meeting was between opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday.

During the week, gone was Mr. Poilievre’s more traditional accusatory focus, which may be a standard role for any opposition leader in a parliamentary democracy, but that he took to an extreme, losing him the support of the political center.

Instead, Mr. Poilievre announced that his party is ready to work with the government to pass urgent legislation to address the concerns of all Canadians – more affordable housing, infrastructure development, prosperity, safety and national security, and legal reform.

Prime Minister Carney voiced similar sentiments.

This focus on dialogue rather than diatribes appears to signal that Canada’s political class may finally be concluding that Canadians from all parties want Canada to work and for political leaders at all levels of government to focus on making Canada work.

Canada faces challenges ahead.

Separatist sympathies in Quebec and Alberta seem to have reawakened although most Canadians continue to see this as a time when all must come together. Internal divisions play into the hands of those global players who would benefit from a weakened Canada.

During his joint-interview with Mr. Chrétien, Mr. Harper commented that he had recently met a die-hard Quebec separatist at the Ottawa airport who had asked him what his formula was for dealing with the U.S. administration.

When Mr. Harper told him it is now time for all Canadians to come together, this gentleman’s response was “you are right”. No indication that he objected to this call by Mr. Harper despite his avowed separatist leanings.

This was only one week after many years of what many believe has been a political quagmire.

If Canada is to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, out politicians need to grow up, grow a pair, and put country ahead of party, province, or personal ambition.

This week proved that this can be possible with good will and joint efforts.

It is up to all of us to hold our respective leaders’ feet to the fire to ensure that this was not a one-off-week but, rather, the bginning of a new era in Canadian politics.