On Monday night, Justin Trudeau presided over a remarkable Liberal comeback after the party’s decade-long walk in the snow.
The longest campaign in Canadian history – meant to give Trudeau ample time to mess things up – instead became enough time to show Canadians he was capable.
Trudeau’s victory says as much about the electorate as it does about the country’s next leader. Much is made about the “niceness” of Canadians. But that is rooted in truth. We value decency and we value it in our government.
The Liberal tide that washed over Canada on Monday was at least in part a rejection of the ugly, divisive tactics of the Conservative campaign – as seen in everything from attack ads, to building xenophobic wedge issues on the Niqab and “barbaric cultural practices.”
In contrast, Trudeau presented an option voters saw as fresh and inclusive.
He has indicated he will embrace the idea of being prime minister of all Canadians – not just those who voted for him.
On that score, Trudeau will be watched closely to see how he deals with his promise to bring in some kind of electoral reform.
We’ll also be watching for some long awaited changes in government – listening to scientists rather than muzzling them and governing on the basis of solid information rather than ideology, for instance.
We also look forward to saying goodbye to Harper’s white-knuckled style of centralized control.
The country is still in honeymoon stage with Trudeau this week. Much has been promised. We look forward in the months and years ahead to holding this next government to account for its promises.
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