TORONTO – This was a famous line from a television ad, several decades ago, designed to extoll the “unique” qualities of a tea allegedly made and sold only in Canada. The ad was very well done, as I recall, evoking images and commentaries from perceived “expert tea-drinkers” – British – whose only comment was always a wistful rhetorical question indicating where this prized product could be bought. We drank camomile.
Thought about that as the country’s broadcasters scurried to locate “experts” and “expert pundits” to speculate on the potential consequences of the clumsy handling of the intended handover of the ministry of Finance to a never elected, private sector, individual. Ho Hum.
On that very day, the eligible voters of a constituency (it is a word in massive use these days to hide personal viewpoints) in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, next to the American border, not too far from the beaches of Tofino, decided to boycott the democratic process. Only 16.7% of the 92,601 voters cast a ballot. Donald Trump, he who is on the verge of destroying our country – the proverbial “barbarian at the gates” – must be rolling in the aisles with laughter.
Other electoral numbers paint an even more sombre picture for a constituency previously represented by a Liberal. Only 2.8% of the voters did so this time; better than the 2.0% for the NDP, whose leader represents a constituency close by.
The Conservatives just trounced their opposition, receiving a resounding 10.8% of support. What is all of the commotion about?
We have squandered the last 72 hours with doom and gloom personality scenarios to mask factual issues and our lack of vigour and resolve in dealing with them.
We are not even very adept at diagnosing what to the outside world appears obvious. The party structure seems incapable of addressing existential threats, such as the trending conversion of our banking system into vehicles for global money-laundering (see the $4.1 Billion fine imposed by the USA against one of our banks).
Chrystia Freeland’s abrupt resignation from Cabinet was a declaration of non-confidence in the concentration of power vested in the Leader of her Party.
Only four sitting Liberal MPs were elected prior to his going to Ottawa. The others owe their places to him, he is the Party. Now, no longer.
Her departure sparked a criticism of the dysfunctionality of some traditional observances of parliamentary procedures designed to ensure ethical practices in governance at the highest levels (such as the obligatory respect for introducing “money bills” – the budget – in the House). Parliament cannot function if the government will not obey the rules.
A third consequence of Freeland’s decision flows from the coincidental meeting of the Premiers meeting to strategize on approaches to coping with the impending American “threat”.
They emerge as the only legitimate voice for Canada. Except that our Confederation had never been intended to do that.
It is for another discussion, but after all the “jurisdictional powers” are exercised, the residuals are attached to the federal authority not to the provinces. Our country cannot survive in an environment where “it is everyman for himself”.
Where is that Camomile?
