I do like your insight Evan - as it almost feels like you're constantly watching this team play - as you are. Sometimes, insight comes from context and comparison. You are very adept at sports comparisons, so I'll attempt that route ... issues the Canadian party in power is facing is common globally. Is the problem with the 'Hockey team' - or captain or head coach? Or is it folks are getting tired of hockey or want to change the rules of hockey - not just the coach?
For example, lack of affordable housing is a Global issue; COVID was/is a global issue and many countries responded less effectively than Canada. The inflation everyday families are feeling is a result of greed-elation at a global level. There is a demographic shift underway creating a shortage of workers in many fields - a global issue; there is a lack of funding for Education and Healthcare - both a 'provincial' decision in Canada. The building industry productivity has been flat for decades in many countries. At the core of these issues is really a Global economic system (neoliberal economics promoted by Thatcher/Regan/Mulronie) that has just not served everyone as promised and has instead shifted wealth to a very few.
So, pounding the snot out of the Head Coach seems to be a pointless, exercise. Likewise, suggesting a change in the colour of the uniform and the name of the team, and of course changing the head coach isn't about to change the nature of the game. I really shouldn't need to mention the commentators on hockey (media) don't really understand how the game is played and think they are commenting on 'street hockey'. In the UK, BREXIT was just a toddler 'we don't want to play with you any more' reaction. The resultant effect on the UK should be a lesson for all.
Canada and other countries need to closely examine how to promote competition and restrict monopolies; how to promote innovation; how to govern digital ... everything. Also, a BIG reminder that Canada is a country of immigrants except for our indigenous cousins.
And of course the major polarizing issue of climate change needs a proper adult discussion rather than the extremes on both poplar opposites. It is a 21st century challenge. Grudge hockey matches and fights are not going to get us there!
“This is a government that talks about listening more than it shows it listening.”
This is a government that talks about everything more than it actually follows through. They got elected nine years ago on an aspirational vision, and have shown follow through on maybe a third of it, and not necessarily the third that voters cared most about.
You discuss Trudeau and Freeland’s current policies not connecting. I think people aren’t listening, and probably can’t be made to listen. They’ve gone to the “promises” bank too often. Their credit is gone. Particularly since they have a habit of folding when the going gets tough and acting like “we tried” is good enough.
If the party is serious, it doesn’t need a new message. It needs a vision of what it wants to accomplish and then to spend the next six months pushing through actual accomplishments. Even if there’s opposition. Even if there’s pushback from the provinces. They need to be seen to actually fight for the voters, and could benefit from being seen to win a fight at all.
It feels odd to reference Biden after his disastrous night light night, but he’s spent the last six months acting like he knows he’s in an election fight, and means to win. Every week has been an announcement about a policy that directly targets voters. And not policies that he’ll enact if elected again. Policies that go into action immediately. Student loan forgiveness. Pardons for military members historically convicted of being homosexual.
He’s pushed through more headline actions in the last six months than the Liberals have in the last six years. Not all of them huge or sweeping, but even small targeted ones show he’s committed to accomplishing things.
Personally, regardless of policy changes, I think Trudeau and Freeland need to go because their credibility is shot. To such an extent that it probably can’t be recovered before the election. But that doesn’t mean the party as a whole can’t recover its credibility.
This advice should be on every desk of the PMO. In some areas I would take it a bit further:
1. Freeland needs to get out cabinet. Her poor communication skills are hurting the government.
2. PMO communications need dramatic improvement, yes, yes and yes. We need a bunch of happy warriors, ready to talk about the successes.
3. Yes, and put some blame on of the provinces allowing education institutes to invites international students without housing.
4. The cost of doing nothing is ignored by all. Also the PBO. This needs to be called out consistently.
5. Is it time to disallow the notwithstanding clause for the religious symbols?
6. This is the hardest one, it requires some humility/vulnerability and optimism. But foremost, it requires taking the spotlight. Do more interviews, a national address, more town halls etc.
You mention a disintegrating healthcare system and I suppose that is largely the result of healthcare being too expensive for the individual and the state combined. I wonder if there is anything intrinsic to healthcare that means it has to be expensive. Does a vaccine or doctors visit or insulin need to cost any more than what I can pay out of my pocket? What’s different about phones that makes them feel like they’re something from the future, while my healthcare seems stuck in the dark ages. Sure healthcare can do more than ever before, but does that really matter if it is out of reach.
I agree with your overall view of needed change and particularly with "Chrystia Freeland must go". She was a bright young star until JT put her in the suicidal role to cover his necessary calamity. She should go..... INTO THE LEADERSHIP POSITION... She is the only hope that the Liberals can stay in power. She should be the one presenting your straight talk solution... It is time this country has a women PM , an honest brilliant women, before the old boys completely fxxk everything up...
So often with this government I think back to the long gun registry and how Allan Rock could not get his message out coherently. There was nothing wrong with the registry in principle, but the Libs allowed it to be defined as an encroachment on freedom. Messaging needs to be fixed again now.
I know people who had to work on the technical implementation side of the current gun restriction push, and it’s driven them nuts. The regulations have been nonsensical on a technical level from the start, in the sense that they were originally written by people who don’t actually understand how firearms function. The people at the top have then refused to adjust the regulations based on feedback, but then also mad that people keep poking holes in regulations that don’t reflect physical reality.
It’s a bit of a microcosm of the current government. A broad policy announcement that is generally popular, followed by a slow and ineffective actual implementation, followed by a refusal to accept or adapt to any criticism.
I do like your insight Evan - as it almost feels like you're constantly watching this team play - as you are. Sometimes, insight comes from context and comparison. You are very adept at sports comparisons, so I'll attempt that route ... issues the Canadian party in power is facing is common globally. Is the problem with the 'Hockey team' - or captain or head coach? Or is it folks are getting tired of hockey or want to change the rules of hockey - not just the coach?
For example, lack of affordable housing is a Global issue; COVID was/is a global issue and many countries responded less effectively than Canada. The inflation everyday families are feeling is a result of greed-elation at a global level. There is a demographic shift underway creating a shortage of workers in many fields - a global issue; there is a lack of funding for Education and Healthcare - both a 'provincial' decision in Canada. The building industry productivity has been flat for decades in many countries. At the core of these issues is really a Global economic system (neoliberal economics promoted by Thatcher/Regan/Mulronie) that has just not served everyone as promised and has instead shifted wealth to a very few.
So, pounding the snot out of the Head Coach seems to be a pointless, exercise. Likewise, suggesting a change in the colour of the uniform and the name of the team, and of course changing the head coach isn't about to change the nature of the game. I really shouldn't need to mention the commentators on hockey (media) don't really understand how the game is played and think they are commenting on 'street hockey'. In the UK, BREXIT was just a toddler 'we don't want to play with you any more' reaction. The resultant effect on the UK should be a lesson for all.
Canada and other countries need to closely examine how to promote competition and restrict monopolies; how to promote innovation; how to govern digital ... everything. Also, a BIG reminder that Canada is a country of immigrants except for our indigenous cousins.
And of course the major polarizing issue of climate change needs a proper adult discussion rather than the extremes on both poplar opposites. It is a 21st century challenge. Grudge hockey matches and fights are not going to get us there!
“This is a government that talks about listening more than it shows it listening.”
This is a government that talks about everything more than it actually follows through. They got elected nine years ago on an aspirational vision, and have shown follow through on maybe a third of it, and not necessarily the third that voters cared most about.
You discuss Trudeau and Freeland’s current policies not connecting. I think people aren’t listening, and probably can’t be made to listen. They’ve gone to the “promises” bank too often. Their credit is gone. Particularly since they have a habit of folding when the going gets tough and acting like “we tried” is good enough.
If the party is serious, it doesn’t need a new message. It needs a vision of what it wants to accomplish and then to spend the next six months pushing through actual accomplishments. Even if there’s opposition. Even if there’s pushback from the provinces. They need to be seen to actually fight for the voters, and could benefit from being seen to win a fight at all.
It feels odd to reference Biden after his disastrous night light night, but he’s spent the last six months acting like he knows he’s in an election fight, and means to win. Every week has been an announcement about a policy that directly targets voters. And not policies that he’ll enact if elected again. Policies that go into action immediately. Student loan forgiveness. Pardons for military members historically convicted of being homosexual.
He’s pushed through more headline actions in the last six months than the Liberals have in the last six years. Not all of them huge or sweeping, but even small targeted ones show he’s committed to accomplishing things.
Personally, regardless of policy changes, I think Trudeau and Freeland need to go because their credibility is shot. To such an extent that it probably can’t be recovered before the election. But that doesn’t mean the party as a whole can’t recover its credibility.
100% on the cost of climate change. I never hear it linked to cost of food, insurance, etc.
This advice should be on every desk of the PMO. In some areas I would take it a bit further:
1. Freeland needs to get out cabinet. Her poor communication skills are hurting the government.
2. PMO communications need dramatic improvement, yes, yes and yes. We need a bunch of happy warriors, ready to talk about the successes.
3. Yes, and put some blame on of the provinces allowing education institutes to invites international students without housing.
4. The cost of doing nothing is ignored by all. Also the PBO. This needs to be called out consistently.
5. Is it time to disallow the notwithstanding clause for the religious symbols?
6. This is the hardest one, it requires some humility/vulnerability and optimism. But foremost, it requires taking the spotlight. Do more interviews, a national address, more town halls etc.
7. Invite Evan to join the PMO.
I see only one viable solution for little potato , not so freeland, and sing along.........MAID.
They need to do something, significant, soon. Ideally a few things.
You mention a disintegrating healthcare system and I suppose that is largely the result of healthcare being too expensive for the individual and the state combined. I wonder if there is anything intrinsic to healthcare that means it has to be expensive. Does a vaccine or doctors visit or insulin need to cost any more than what I can pay out of my pocket? What’s different about phones that makes them feel like they’re something from the future, while my healthcare seems stuck in the dark ages. Sure healthcare can do more than ever before, but does that really matter if it is out of reach.
I agree with your overall view of needed change and particularly with "Chrystia Freeland must go". She was a bright young star until JT put her in the suicidal role to cover his necessary calamity. She should go..... INTO THE LEADERSHIP POSITION... She is the only hope that the Liberals can stay in power. She should be the one presenting your straight talk solution... It is time this country has a women PM , an honest brilliant women, before the old boys completely fxxk everything up...
WHAT ????????? LOL
So often with this government I think back to the long gun registry and how Allan Rock could not get his message out coherently. There was nothing wrong with the registry in principle, but the Libs allowed it to be defined as an encroachment on freedom. Messaging needs to be fixed again now.
I know people who had to work on the technical implementation side of the current gun restriction push, and it’s driven them nuts. The regulations have been nonsensical on a technical level from the start, in the sense that they were originally written by people who don’t actually understand how firearms function. The people at the top have then refused to adjust the regulations based on feedback, but then also mad that people keep poking holes in regulations that don’t reflect physical reality.
It’s a bit of a microcosm of the current government. A broad policy announcement that is generally popular, followed by a slow and ineffective actual implementation, followed by a refusal to accept or adapt to any criticism.