Last Thursday Biden gave a masterclass in defending and selling his accomplishments. But he did something else, he made demands of certain things happening that were entirely state level responsibility. Unless I missed it, there was no criticism at all that Biden had stepped on states’ jurisdiction.
I believe the only path to electoral success for Trudeau and the Liberals is to do something similar. On housing, demand that provinces will match the Federal government’s investment. Demand meaningful rent control. Require provinces to demand from their educational institutions to provide housing for students.
On health, the federal government should demand from each province to present a plan on how to provide a family doctor for all Canadians. Demand that no waiting list is longer than 6 months. Demand that no ER is closed for staff shortages.
On crime, provide enough judge appointments and the require provinces to prosecute much faster. It does not rhyme, but instead of bail, go directly to trial.
Of course, Trudeau will have to remain doing the Canadian thing of being collaborative and offer incentives and support for provinces. But, at the same time, he needs to take the of the gloves and set some bold goals that are entirely in the provincial domain. The public has clearly indicated that they do not care about who is responsible for housing, they care about somebody showing an interest in dealing with the issues. So, let’s deal with some big issues that matter.
Absolutely, it’s just too bad that Trudeau is not a fighter.
Right now it feels like citizens are fighting with their own provincial governments more than being represented by them. It’s the perfect opportunity for the Federal Government to position itself as the voice of Canadians. The big brother ally against the premieres. The best part is that it costs them nothing. They could be seen to lead without having to add much of anything to the budget.
But instead we live in bizarro world where it’s the premieres who attack the federal government for not committing enough resources to the provincial responsibilities. And where the populace actually does blame the federal government because they seem unwilling to dispute the blame.
But he does not really have to be a fighter if he goes this route. It is more “this is where we need to go, together”. Nobody can argue that each Canadian having a family doctor is a bad thing. It is an expression of a vision and he is running out of topics that are exclusively federal and make a significant difference in people’s life.
And this is what I think is more the issue than being a fighter or not. I believe Trudeau is more respectful of federal/provincial jurisdictions than most politicians. I still think that press conference in July or August last year was telling. He gently tried to make the correct point that housing is primarily a provincial responsibility. It was immediately turned into Trudeau does not care and I thinks it is not his responsibility at all.
After the famous Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff, every disadvantage has an advantage. Trudeau has the disadvantage that people do not care about federal vs. provincial, so turn it into an advantage and set some goals that are firmly in the provincial domain. It does not require a fight, just a clear message.
See, and this is where I think we fundamentally disagree (we’ve bandied this about in a couple discussion threads), Trudeau is long past the point where expressing a vision is enough. He’s the head of government, not opposition leader. Speeches are for the opposition, successful policies and accomplishments are what gets governments reelected.
And all his “this is where we need to go, together” keeps running into the hard reality that the provincial governments are actively uninterested in actually participating. In many cases they are actually the ones actively causing the issues.
So he’s left with a choice. He can make aspirational speeches that actively ignore reality and look like an ineffectual chump. Or he can put forward plans that acknowledge the reality that the premieres represent an active opposition to the vision he’s trying to sell.
“He gently tried to make the correct point that housing is primarily a provincial responsibility.”
Saying it’s not his problem is a losing message. He should want it to be his problem. When Canadians have problems he should want to be the face of solving them. There’s a huge difference between saying “this is a provincial issue” and saying “this is a provincial issue, which they’ve failed at, and here’s how we’re going to fight for Canadians to get them to do their job”
If the federal government had spent half as much time publicly holding the provinces responsible for provincial responsibilities as the provinces have spent holding the federal government responsible for provincial responsibilities, both Trudeau and the country would be in a much better place.
I think we are saying the same thing, but I am not sure of your claim “ Speeches are for the opposition, successful policies and accomplishments are what gets governments reelected”.
I am not sure that this is the case in today’s world. To me it would appear that that the voters care more about leaders talking about the issues that they care about than the actual quality (or even realism) of the plans that they propose to address these.
We live is in a highly simplified, fact free world with no challenge from the press (other than certain newspapers being de facto on the payroll of the CPC). The rules from 10 years ago do not seem to apply anymore.
Can you name a time that voters haven’t wanted their leaders to be talking about the issues they care about?
Whether you think voters care about effective action, or if they just want validation, I think it’s fair to say that Trudeau is currently doing neither.
And I’m not sure it’s actually a distinction with a difference. Particularly on an issue where 90% of it isn’t federal responsibility the talk could be the action. But it can’t just be aspirational. Would Biden’s SOTU been nearly as effective if he had no specific goals? Called out no specific causes? Named no responsible parties?
There's an expression that cuts through endless discussion and debate that's never been more applicable or necessary than it is right now, and that's to "just black and white it."
It's also never been easier because politics has become totally binary with one side actively and actually being evil, crazy, dangerous, and an existential threat. Think of Putin, and in the context of what the GOP has done, lump in every single person who still claims affinity with the right wing, period.
Trudeau isn't just "to the manor born," he's also "to the manner born" when it comes to Canadian politics; he was steeped in it enough to have acquired his father's strong, federalist vision of the country as a whole, an entity greater than the sum of its parts, importantly differentiated from the U.S. by a more evolutionary style rather than their revolutionary one. But when PET WAS faced with the primarily male, rogue, revolutionary element that always lurks in society in the form of the FLQ who seriously sought Quebec separation from Canada, he confronted it with the War Measures Act, precursor to the Emergencies Act now under such scrutiny. It was his famous "just watch me" moment (oh how we love a fight eh?) but being a true liberal, he didn't evoke it until actual, dangerous criminal activity took place, which it did. People still quibble about it but one of the kidnap victims being murdered provided some much-needed perspective. So I think there will have to be a similarly shocking event like an actual assassination to lance THIS boil, possibly of Trudeau himself before we will smarten up.
As the very specific target of the stupid, roused right, Trudeau truly has had to endure unprecedented vitriol enabled by social media, (and think of it, is Zuckerberg LEFT wing?), attacks so relentless that I think it's ultimately had a subliminal effect in that most people, even progressives, seem unaware of their truly unconscious bias. He's as white a knight as we're going to get.
So in the glaring binary of Biden versus Trump and/or Trudeau versus Poilievre, we should just STFU and think of it as Russia or Ukraine. Period.
talking to my nieces (in their 20s), they and all their friends loath all the leaders because none are seriously tackling climate change. They are not disinterested, rather focused on the biggest threat: "our future is fucked but your generation will do nothing about it and you hold all the power". They are not wrong.
I also find of the reminiscing about Mr Mulroney hypocritical. My recollections of his time in office were of the rise of the Reform Party, continual corruption investigations, his craven behaviour around President Reagan and the reduction of his party to 2 seats in the House.
.. it’s your best work .. or better said .. this is the zone you’re at your best in & most effective in regard to Canada & The art of being Canadian..
I read a memorable American rant yesterday.. right up your alley .. or you probably subscribe to the guy via ‘substack .. blew me away.. woWser ..
But fluffin you aside .. Boss was just twigging re you and Nate yakkin it up on youTube .. and your microphone sucks sez I .. she don’t care
Will listen further re Nate & you.. he just doesn’t put a foot wrong - I look at the Orwellian Monstrosity of a Jenni Byrne ‘MEDIA WAR ROOM’ & the writhing diseased & parasitic ‘organism it’s become .. an extension & reflection of the growing horror show of Poilievre Inc.
Try in your own words to describe the fact that it is now claimed via the Fred DeLorey & Cole Hogan - Podcast ‘On Background’
Pierre Poilievre himself - or persona - is in fact the most prolific Political News Outlet Entity - in Canada - Just think about that !
Last Thursday Biden gave a masterclass in defending and selling his accomplishments. But he did something else, he made demands of certain things happening that were entirely state level responsibility. Unless I missed it, there was no criticism at all that Biden had stepped on states’ jurisdiction.
I believe the only path to electoral success for Trudeau and the Liberals is to do something similar. On housing, demand that provinces will match the Federal government’s investment. Demand meaningful rent control. Require provinces to demand from their educational institutions to provide housing for students.
On health, the federal government should demand from each province to present a plan on how to provide a family doctor for all Canadians. Demand that no waiting list is longer than 6 months. Demand that no ER is closed for staff shortages.
On crime, provide enough judge appointments and the require provinces to prosecute much faster. It does not rhyme, but instead of bail, go directly to trial.
Of course, Trudeau will have to remain doing the Canadian thing of being collaborative and offer incentives and support for provinces. But, at the same time, he needs to take the of the gloves and set some bold goals that are entirely in the provincial domain. The public has clearly indicated that they do not care about who is responsible for housing, they care about somebody showing an interest in dealing with the issues. So, let’s deal with some big issues that matter.
Absolutely, it’s just too bad that Trudeau is not a fighter.
Right now it feels like citizens are fighting with their own provincial governments more than being represented by them. It’s the perfect opportunity for the Federal Government to position itself as the voice of Canadians. The big brother ally against the premieres. The best part is that it costs them nothing. They could be seen to lead without having to add much of anything to the budget.
But instead we live in bizarro world where it’s the premieres who attack the federal government for not committing enough resources to the provincial responsibilities. And where the populace actually does blame the federal government because they seem unwilling to dispute the blame.
you lost me at ‘not a fighter’ .. sweeping statement .. you his Biographer ? 🦎🏴☠️
But he does not really have to be a fighter if he goes this route. It is more “this is where we need to go, together”. Nobody can argue that each Canadian having a family doctor is a bad thing. It is an expression of a vision and he is running out of topics that are exclusively federal and make a significant difference in people’s life.
And this is what I think is more the issue than being a fighter or not. I believe Trudeau is more respectful of federal/provincial jurisdictions than most politicians. I still think that press conference in July or August last year was telling. He gently tried to make the correct point that housing is primarily a provincial responsibility. It was immediately turned into Trudeau does not care and I thinks it is not his responsibility at all.
After the famous Dutch soccer player Johan Cruyff, every disadvantage has an advantage. Trudeau has the disadvantage that people do not care about federal vs. provincial, so turn it into an advantage and set some goals that are firmly in the provincial domain. It does not require a fight, just a clear message.
See, and this is where I think we fundamentally disagree (we’ve bandied this about in a couple discussion threads), Trudeau is long past the point where expressing a vision is enough. He’s the head of government, not opposition leader. Speeches are for the opposition, successful policies and accomplishments are what gets governments reelected.
And all his “this is where we need to go, together” keeps running into the hard reality that the provincial governments are actively uninterested in actually participating. In many cases they are actually the ones actively causing the issues.
So he’s left with a choice. He can make aspirational speeches that actively ignore reality and look like an ineffectual chump. Or he can put forward plans that acknowledge the reality that the premieres represent an active opposition to the vision he’s trying to sell.
“He gently tried to make the correct point that housing is primarily a provincial responsibility.”
Saying it’s not his problem is a losing message. He should want it to be his problem. When Canadians have problems he should want to be the face of solving them. There’s a huge difference between saying “this is a provincial issue” and saying “this is a provincial issue, which they’ve failed at, and here’s how we’re going to fight for Canadians to get them to do their job”
If the federal government had spent half as much time publicly holding the provinces responsible for provincial responsibilities as the provinces have spent holding the federal government responsible for provincial responsibilities, both Trudeau and the country would be in a much better place.
I think we are saying the same thing, but I am not sure of your claim “ Speeches are for the opposition, successful policies and accomplishments are what gets governments reelected”.
I am not sure that this is the case in today’s world. To me it would appear that that the voters care more about leaders talking about the issues that they care about than the actual quality (or even realism) of the plans that they propose to address these.
We live is in a highly simplified, fact free world with no challenge from the press (other than certain newspapers being de facto on the payroll of the CPC). The rules from 10 years ago do not seem to apply anymore.
Can you name a time that voters haven’t wanted their leaders to be talking about the issues they care about?
Whether you think voters care about effective action, or if they just want validation, I think it’s fair to say that Trudeau is currently doing neither.
And I’m not sure it’s actually a distinction with a difference. Particularly on an issue where 90% of it isn’t federal responsibility the talk could be the action. But it can’t just be aspirational. Would Biden’s SOTU been nearly as effective if he had no specific goals? Called out no specific causes? Named no responsible parties?
There's an expression that cuts through endless discussion and debate that's never been more applicable or necessary than it is right now, and that's to "just black and white it."
It's also never been easier because politics has become totally binary with one side actively and actually being evil, crazy, dangerous, and an existential threat. Think of Putin, and in the context of what the GOP has done, lump in every single person who still claims affinity with the right wing, period.
Trudeau isn't just "to the manor born," he's also "to the manner born" when it comes to Canadian politics; he was steeped in it enough to have acquired his father's strong, federalist vision of the country as a whole, an entity greater than the sum of its parts, importantly differentiated from the U.S. by a more evolutionary style rather than their revolutionary one. But when PET WAS faced with the primarily male, rogue, revolutionary element that always lurks in society in the form of the FLQ who seriously sought Quebec separation from Canada, he confronted it with the War Measures Act, precursor to the Emergencies Act now under such scrutiny. It was his famous "just watch me" moment (oh how we love a fight eh?) but being a true liberal, he didn't evoke it until actual, dangerous criminal activity took place, which it did. People still quibble about it but one of the kidnap victims being murdered provided some much-needed perspective. So I think there will have to be a similarly shocking event like an actual assassination to lance THIS boil, possibly of Trudeau himself before we will smarten up.
As the very specific target of the stupid, roused right, Trudeau truly has had to endure unprecedented vitriol enabled by social media, (and think of it, is Zuckerberg LEFT wing?), attacks so relentless that I think it's ultimately had a subliminal effect in that most people, even progressives, seem unaware of their truly unconscious bias. He's as white a knight as we're going to get.
So in the glaring binary of Biden versus Trump and/or Trudeau versus Poilievre, we should just STFU and think of it as Russia or Ukraine. Period.
talking to my nieces (in their 20s), they and all their friends loath all the leaders because none are seriously tackling climate change. They are not disinterested, rather focused on the biggest threat: "our future is fucked but your generation will do nothing about it and you hold all the power". They are not wrong.
I also find of the reminiscing about Mr Mulroney hypocritical. My recollections of his time in office were of the rise of the Reform Party, continual corruption investigations, his craven behaviour around President Reagan and the reduction of his party to 2 seats in the House.
.. it’s your best work .. or better said .. this is the zone you’re at your best in & most effective in regard to Canada & The art of being Canadian..
I read a memorable American rant yesterday.. right up your alley .. or you probably subscribe to the guy via ‘substack .. blew me away.. woWser ..
But fluffin you aside .. Boss was just twigging re you and Nate yakkin it up on youTube .. and your microphone sucks sez I .. she don’t care
Will listen further re Nate & you.. he just doesn’t put a foot wrong - I look at the Orwellian Monstrosity of a Jenni Byrne ‘MEDIA WAR ROOM’ & the writhing diseased & parasitic ‘organism it’s become .. an extension & reflection of the growing horror show of Poilievre Inc.
Try in your own words to describe the fact that it is now claimed via the Fred DeLorey & Cole Hogan - Podcast ‘On Background’
Pierre Poilievre himself - or persona - is in fact the most prolific Political News Outlet Entity - in Canada - Just think about that !