The federal election is April 28, 2025. The media falsely
portrays it as a showdown between two political leaders -Carney or Poilievre. Others see it as the eternal human struggle
between good and evil. Groups gather to obtain power with political brands and
memberships. They create stories to entice voters and sell hopes to chart a
national destiny. The first casualty of an election is the truth.
The media would try to make the election all about standing up to US President Trump, which is a deceptive issue. Trump will be Trump, regardless. No matter who is elected Canadian leader, Trump will remain his unpredictable self. The key to Canada’s success is finding better internal governance that can withstand any international challenge. Wise Canadians must take care of business without false distractions.
The nature of media creates a contest that all turn on the whims of a charismatic leader, a form of dictatorship where the winner takes all. The media plays a significant role in shaping the election narrative, often focusing on the leaders' personalities, jokes, and quips rather than the governance policies. However, the mechanics of government are significantly more complex. Judging by the public noise, one would think that Canadians who vote, only give reasons for voting based on emotion, historical prejudice, and slick advertising, regardless of facts, truth, or ethics.
The election campaign for 343 seats in the House of Commons will last 37 days. While other parties are running, the Liberals and the Conservatives are the only ones who have a chance to form a government. The party that commands a majority in Parliament, either alone or with the support of another party, will form the next government, and its leader will be Prime Minister.
When casting your vote, think beyond immediate gain and consider the long-term implications for future generations. This forward-thinking approach is necessary for our nation's enduring prosperity. This election is not about short-term wins but fortifying Canada to withstand any challenge to our country.
In its most basic form, our Westminster Parliamentary model says the political Party that wins the most local voting races to claim seats in the House of Commons, gets the first opportunity to form a working government if it can maintain the chamber's 'voting confidence'.
On March 23, the media claimed that the political contest was a tie with a slight edge to the Liberals, who were severely down in popularity just a few weeks ago. The Liberals seem to look for human saviours, such as their last leader, who brought the Party from third place of 34 seats in 2011 up to a 184-seat majority in 2015, then was forced to resign the leadership as the Liberals faced certain political ignominy at the polls. They now have a new leader who has never been elected to anything, and they aspire to keep political control with a fourth term in office, using the same Ministers with the same political philosophy.
The history of the Liberals has been about obtaining power and keeping it, and by being willing to appear to adapt to the winds of social change through the years. Some of their historical policies include deficit spending, solidifying universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, Canada Student Loans, unification of the armed forces, multilateralism and official bilingualism, gun control, the patriation of the Constitution of Canada with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Clarity Act, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, cannabis, national carbon pricing, expanded access to abortion, assisted suicide (MAID).
The Conservative Party leadership created Canada in 1867. The Party generally supports conservative social and economic policies such as balanced budgets, a strong federal government with provincial rights for the legislatures, governance under the mantra of ‘peace – order - and good government’, and the Canadian Bill of Rights. Its economic policies include reducing taxes, creating a tax-free savings account (TFSA), and implementing universal childcare benefits. In recent history, they eliminated the long-gun registry, introduced mandatory minimum sentences for violent crime, raised the age of consent to 16 years, permitted the construction of several pipelines, withdrew Canada from the international Kyoto Protocol, and safely guided Canada through the worst global economic crisis since WWII, yet emerging with a balanced budget.
In foreign affairs, they maintained membership in many international organizations while protecting independence, supported the UN and the State of Israel, negotiated the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), and negotiated the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Due to the Conservative administration, Canada has over 100 international trade agreements and active negotiations.
Canada’s trade with the United States dominates the Canadian economy, and Conservatives started the modern era of trade deals with the USA. Canadian politicians have debated free trade with the USA since 1866 when countries mainly used tariffs for international relations. Trade with the United States was the main topic in the 1911 Canadian Federal Election and was led primarily by the Conservative Party in the 1984 and 1988 Canadian elections.
Although many bilateral agreements reduced tariffs, a freer trade agreement was not reached until the Conservatives developed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1994. The agreement increased trade among all three member countries and has dramatically benefitted Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
How did we get here politically for 2025? The current standing in the House of Commons is Liberal 152, Conservative 120, Bloc Quebecois 33, NDP 24, Green 2, Independent 3, and Vacant 4. The Liberals have held a minority government since 2021 with the support of the NDP.
On January 6, 2025, Trudeau announced his pending resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and as the Prime Minister of Canada. He asked Governor General Mary Simon to prorogue Parliament until March. Proroguing Parliament, a constitutional power of the Governor General, effectively ends a session of Parliament. The Liberal Prime Minister was forced to resign in disgrace and was quickly replaced by Mark Carney. Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada, won a brief internal leadership vote and was sworn in as Prime Minister on March 14. He appointed a new Cabinet, beginning the 30th Canadian Ministry. He has chosen to try and extend Liberal power via a national election on April 28, 2025.
According to the polls, cost-of-living issues continue to dominate Canadians' priorities. Many ranked inflation and the cost of living as their top priority. Healthcare took the second spot, and other pocketbook issues dominated the rest of the list. Housing availability was critical, followed by immigration, employment, and jobs. Taxes, poverty, social inequality, and government debt were also mentioned. While the new Liberal leader tries to run against his Party's record, it is an unacceptable legacy that cannot be endorsed at the ballot box.
Canada, under failed leadership, is only now trying to play catch-up about internal trade barriers. By not investing in internal trade links, national pipelines, and a national electrical grid, Canada has been left vulnerable to international markets. Despite positive political talk about our north over ten years, the government has failed to deliver.
The best way to promote Canada’s interests, defend against trade provocations, and create more substantial international trade options is to get our house in order and elect a strong majority Conservative government under leader Pierre Poilievre. Keep the best and fix the rest.
Carney would have us become more European. Trump wants us to
become Americans. Conservatives want us
to be even more Canadian.
Only Conservatives will restore Canada’s promise: Where hard
work results in a good life - a home on a safe street, protected by solid
borders and proper law enforcement, under a proud flag. Canadians must put
Canada first.
-compiled by Paul Forseth