DIEF POINTS THE WAY
As Andrew Scheer takes his place as the leader of the federal Conservative Party, he would do well to take a page from the last Saskatchewan MP to rise to this level of Canadian political leadership.
John Diefenbaker was known for his no-nonsense communication style and for being a man of the people. “I was criticized for being too much concerned with the average Canadians. I can’t help that; I am one of them,” he once said.
Scheer, despite spending his youth in Ontario and much time in Ottawa, shares a grounded, accessible, Saskatchewanesque persona with Diefenbaker. He does come off as more pleasant and kind than the former prime minister, which is to the new Conservative leader’s credit.
Scheer does need to convey the passion for justice and deep concern for the vulnerable that marked Diefenbaker’s time as leader. As was stated in Dief’s eulogy, “Not every Canadian shared his view of Canada, but all knew and were touched by his devotion to his view.”
Scheer should be concerned with the widespread comparisons being made to his most recent forerunner, Stephen Harper. Columnist John Ibbitson dubbed him “Stephen Harper 2.0 — with a smile.”
In fact, Scheer invited the connection as he thanked and praised Harper early in his acceptance speech at the Conservative convention after narrowly defeating Maxime Bernier.
Scheer needs to work quickly to ensure Canadians see him as a force for inclusion, tolerance and other core national values. It is Harper’s seeming rejection of any sort of kindness in his approach to governance that led to voters turning to the softer style of Justin Trudeau.
The success of Rona Ambrose as interim Conservative leader is due to embracing a very distinct path from Harper. She did not veer from the conservative fiscal and social political perspective that pleased the longtime party faithful, but she used humour, emotion and sympathy to great effect.
As many Conservatives have admitted, a change in tone was necessary. Ambrose made great inroads on this front, and Scheer should take care not to undo any of this progress.
Whatever party one may support, it is in the best interest of all Canadians to have a strong, effective Opposition. It is in the best interest of Saskatchewan and Western Canada for elected officials to show a dedication to a national vision of harmony and peace.
Let’s end this editorial with a final quote from Diefenbaker, one which it would be wise for Scheer to embrace:
“I have one love — Canada; one purpose — Canada’s greatness; one aim — Canadian unity from the Atlantic to the Pacific.”