Liberals haven’t learned humility

When I first started to read Ralph Goodale’s opinion editorial (Nov. 16), I had some hope that he and the federal Liberals may have learned some humility. Unfortunately, the editorial simply reinforced the attitudes that led western voters to reject the Liberals in the first place.

Overall, the editorial takes a patronizing tone. Western voters, the editorial contends, simply need to be taught that the carbon tax is good for them. Instead of being angry at the Liberals’ anti-pipeline Bills C-69 and C-48, voters should be grateful for the minor, reluctant efforts the Liberals made to build pipelines. When it comes to the unfair equalization structure, the editorial tries to blame it on previous governments.

It makes the slightest nod to ending divisiveness and working co-operatively, but then promptly dives into explicitly partisan attacks.

The editorial suggests that western interests would be better served if they had representation in the Liberal government. We had that in the Trudeau government’s first term, yet they proved ineffective at defending Western Canada. Why would voters reward incompetence?

The editorial is premised on self-reflection, but there is no evidence of it. Self-reflection involves asking the tough questions “What did I do wrong? How can I change?” Instead, it arrogantly suggests voters were foolish to punish the Liberals and need to be taught some gratitude.

It is clear we can expect no better from the current Liberal government than we received from the last one.

Tom Lukiwski, Conservative MP for Moose Jaw-lake Centre-lanigan