ERIN O’TOOLE’S PLATFORM PROVES HE IS READY TO GOVERN.
Anyone interested in having grownups run our country finally must read Erin O’toole’s Recovery Plan for Canada.
I read it and was gobsmacked, not because I mostly agreed with what he proposes, but because it represents a paradigm shift in Canadian politics. In essence, this 83-page booklet is a policy prospectus written so that voters can make intelligent choices and describes in detail the Conservative Party’s approach concerning virtually every issue facing the nation. It is a serious document composed by a serious man to address serious problems.
What’s most fascinating about this election is the contrast between a decent, mature and serious leader like O’toole and the “boys” who now head the Liberal and NDP parties. The Conservative leader is a man who combines the discipline and strategic aptitude of a military officer with the attention to detail and precision of a corporate lawyer who worked with sophisticated clients. The others pose and posture as leaders.
This “Recovery Plan” is not dumbed down. This is not platitudes. This is not screed or scripture, nor immoderate in any way. This is not talking points written out by consultants in block letters.
It’s detailed and complete. For instance, the Plan intends to “recover the million jobs lost during the pandemic within one year” and it outlines initiatives, loans, programs in all sectors to accomplish this. For policy wonks, like me, you can drill down from general headings and find out specifics as they relate to regions, sectors, and legislative changes.
The Plan also proposes long-overdue “anti-corruption legislation” to clean up the federal system, provide more transparency and toughen lobbying and conflict laws and fines. In addition, there is a badly-needed mental health action plan to boost funding for provinces and other reforms.
Under its heading Secure the Economy, the Plan proposes to wind down emergency COVID spending by initiating targeted and time-limited stimulus measures for six months after rehiring plus many other measures to increase economic growth. It contains specific proposals to address climate change, mining, manufacturing, innovation, energy, Indigenous issues, taxes, and eldercare, to rhyme off a few. Best of all, the Plan is written in plain, understandable language.
I urge everyone to spend a couple of hours looking at this “Man with a Plan” proposal for Canadians to consider before voting on September 20. Skim general topics then drill down.
This is unique in Canadian political life and not just another shiny pamphlet handed out on doorsteps by political pitch artists. This is thoughtful and respectful toward Canadians who are also decent, smart, and serious about the problems facing our nation and how to address them.
What’s also unique about this “launch” is that it is the approach taken by a man who served in the military and understands that both superiors and men under command require and appreciate carefully drawn plans based on meeting shared goals.
It’s also the approach of a lawyer on Bay Street, which O’toole was, who has drawn up a policy “brief ” for voters as precise and as detailed as is required when making a presentation before a regulatory body, shareholders, or judge.
Another important quality that Canadians must be aware of is that O’toole has become thoroughly proficient in French, through study, thus paying the ultimate respect toward Quebecers.
All these traits — and his intellectual heft and openness — will be brought to bear as prime minister should he win. Even now, as a candidate, these make him the most unique and attractive leader to come along in Canadian public life in years, in my opinion. That, plus the fact that he took an oath in the military, to protect and defend this country, certainly sets him apart from the clutter he faces on the ballot.
Not coincidentally, the new premier-elect of Nova Scotia embodies the same no-nonsense style, offering policies rooted in real-world experience. He won a majority this week.
Canadians want government run by grownups. And now there will be a clear-cut option to select on the ballot on September 20.