Some silver linings from dark election clouds

A common refrain in the wake of this election is that there were no winners, only losers.

The Justin Trudeau-led Liberals foolishly called an election two years early because they felt a majority was within reach. They lost that gamble big time. The Erin O’Toole-led Conservatives started the campaign with momentum, but in spite of that, and in spite of O’Toole outperforming most expectations, they ended up losing a couple of seats from their 2019 total of 121 (that could still change if ridings flip after mail-in ballots are counted).

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is said to be a winner because his stature and popularity actually grew during the campaign, but the bottom line is he and his party have about the same amount of clout in Parliament as they had last time.

Maxime Bernier’s Peoples Party certainly picked up support, but it didn’t translate into even one seat. And Green party Leader Annamie Paul’s leadership is in question as she lost her bid for a seat, although her party did pick up a seat in Kitchener Centre.

And of course Canadians can be said to have lost in that they had to take part in an election they didn’t want or need.

But perhaps there are winners, too. More voters supported the two progressive parties, the Liberals and the NDP, than supported other parties. That means that progressive platform planks, especially on national child care and climate change, can go forward and win support in Parliament.

Finally, Canada will get the child-care program it needs. Eight provinces have already signed on to a federal/provincial partnership that will eventually lead to $10-day-child care. And the investment should lead to a dramatic increases in quality childcare spaces, which will improve supply. That is critical given that many parents today have trouble even finding a spot, never mind affording one.

Affordable child care is more than a social program. It is an economic development tool. For proof, look no further than Quebec where an affordable program exists and where a record number of women are in the workforce, generating tax revenue and productivity. This sort of program made sense when the Liberals proposed it decades ago, and it still does. Now the Liberals and NDP can partner to ensure it finally happens.

The climate change forecast is less rosy. The Liberals’ plan was inadequate to begin with, although it was judged by experts as the most credible plan on offer. At least Canada will keep the more ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets set by the Trudeau government as opposed to lower and regressive targets favoured by the O’Toole Conservatives.

Then there’s Hamilton and Burlington. If having local representation in government means anything, both communities fared well. Hamilton and Burlington have Liberals Filomena Tassi and Karina Gould respectively, both ministers in the last government who should be in cabinet again. There’s NDP incumbent Matthew Green who held his Hamilton Centre seat and brings another progressive voice. Rookie MP, but city council veteran, Chad Collins will represent voters of Hamilton East-Stoney Creek. The only local riding not settled as of this writing is Hamilton Mountain, where Liberal hopeful Lisa Hepfner is in a tight race with NDP veteran Malcolm Allen. Mail-in ballots may determine this one, but either way a progressive politician will go to Ottawa. The lone Conservative is Dan Muys in Flamborough-Glanbrook.

No question, it was a grumpy, cynical election campaign. But it can lead to good things if the parties will just collaborate in this new minority government. More on that tomorrow.