I sincerely hope that the PMO and Liberal caucus are reading Evan’s columns. This advice is spot on.
In the next 18 months a tremendous amount of discipline will be required. It will be so appealing, even tantalizing, to get into pointing out the offensive positions and messages by the CPC. It will only do two things:
1) Convince the PPC leaning voters that Poilievre is their man
2) Convince potential liberal voters that the liberals care more about moral issues and than issues that really make a difference in their lives
So, the Liberals need to keep it really simple. For each provocation there needs to be a simple response that turns the issue to a conservative premier’s failing. Something like this:
Parental rights - yes parents should always be involved unless there are unique circumstances, but let’s talk about how student in province X are scoring 30% lower of math than 10 years ago. What are we going to do about that?
Alberta Pension Plan - incredibly bad idea to abandon the highest performing pension fund, but let’s talk about the lack of long term care homes in Alberta.
Cost of living concerns - yes, we are equally concerned and are increasing competition, but let’s talk about how Doug Ford abolished rent control and gives money to foreign office supply stores to provide government functions.
Etc. etc.
And stop being concerned about provincial jurisdiction. Poilievre does not care about this when he accuses the Federal government of not doing enough about foreign doctors not being accredited by provincial licensing boards. Why would you care?
It’s an excellent column. I want to make a minor distinction, although some might say it’s a distinction without a difference.
You say that “character issues” is not a vote mover. I disagree, I think it’s a great vote mover. It’s just that the left, more or less already has those votes cornered.
Much like LGBTQ issues, single issue voters who prioritize integrity already don’t vote conservative. And, like you pointed out in your Trans Rights column recently, that means they need to stop focusing on those issues as election issues.
Which doesn’t mean ignoring them. They need to be part of the policy platform. But they need to be campaigning on things that move voters they don’t already have.
But I think the distinction between “no one cares” and “lots of people care, but those votes are already secure” is worth making.
Addendum: This distinction is why the Federal NDP’s flirtation with nonsense, conspiracies, and unserious policy is playing with fire. Their voters care. Losing their credibility with “integrity” voters will have similar consequences as losing their credibility with LGBTQ voters
this is a terrific piece. echo the thought that i hope some staffers with some level of pull in either of the parties that form the current federal government have an eye on this site.
the country voted for a PM that did black face because it was doing reasonably well. that's all that really needs to be said. fix the housing crisis.
Excellent article Evan. It seems most people are too busy trying to manage their lives to catch their attention. Most citizens are less than knowledgeable about 'civics' and jurisdictional authorities, so it's not worth the effort to educate. Rather, pointing out the failures of current 'conservative' Premiers is likely the better route. If everything is Trudeau's fault, then perhaps it's time to take the lead with Premiers and Mayors who actually recognize their responsibilities and desire to improve conditions for Canadians. (As you have indicated with Ebby in BC and a number of cities like TO) Given lack of affordable housing is actually a global issue, the Liberal effort to change this situation in Canada will have impact on approaches by other countries. Goodness - perhaps Trudeau is that powerful he has influence on other countries!?!?
Pushing Poilievre on his lack of policy to 'fix' his broken Canada is needed. 'Axe-the-tax', 'bring-it-home', 'Common Sense' are bad lyrics to a garage band tune without a melody - something a toddler would repeat. This rhetoric is certainly not Policy nor does he seem to recognize just how complex the world is and the global impact on all countries. But, Canadians do recognize this.
I sincerely hope that the PMO and Liberal caucus are reading Evan’s columns. This advice is spot on.
In the next 18 months a tremendous amount of discipline will be required. It will be so appealing, even tantalizing, to get into pointing out the offensive positions and messages by the CPC. It will only do two things:
1) Convince the PPC leaning voters that Poilievre is their man
2) Convince potential liberal voters that the liberals care more about moral issues and than issues that really make a difference in their lives
So, the Liberals need to keep it really simple. For each provocation there needs to be a simple response that turns the issue to a conservative premier’s failing. Something like this:
Parental rights - yes parents should always be involved unless there are unique circumstances, but let’s talk about how student in province X are scoring 30% lower of math than 10 years ago. What are we going to do about that?
Alberta Pension Plan - incredibly bad idea to abandon the highest performing pension fund, but let’s talk about the lack of long term care homes in Alberta.
Cost of living concerns - yes, we are equally concerned and are increasing competition, but let’s talk about how Doug Ford abolished rent control and gives money to foreign office supply stores to provide government functions.
Etc. etc.
And stop being concerned about provincial jurisdiction. Poilievre does not care about this when he accuses the Federal government of not doing enough about foreign doctors not being accredited by provincial licensing boards. Why would you care?
It’s an excellent column. I want to make a minor distinction, although some might say it’s a distinction without a difference.
You say that “character issues” is not a vote mover. I disagree, I think it’s a great vote mover. It’s just that the left, more or less already has those votes cornered.
Much like LGBTQ issues, single issue voters who prioritize integrity already don’t vote conservative. And, like you pointed out in your Trans Rights column recently, that means they need to stop focusing on those issues as election issues.
Which doesn’t mean ignoring them. They need to be part of the policy platform. But they need to be campaigning on things that move voters they don’t already have.
But I think the distinction between “no one cares” and “lots of people care, but those votes are already secure” is worth making.
Addendum: This distinction is why the Federal NDP’s flirtation with nonsense, conspiracies, and unserious policy is playing with fire. Their voters care. Losing their credibility with “integrity” voters will have similar consequences as losing their credibility with LGBTQ voters
this is a terrific piece. echo the thought that i hope some staffers with some level of pull in either of the parties that form the current federal government have an eye on this site.
the country voted for a PM that did black face because it was doing reasonably well. that's all that really needs to be said. fix the housing crisis.
Excellent article Evan. It seems most people are too busy trying to manage their lives to catch their attention. Most citizens are less than knowledgeable about 'civics' and jurisdictional authorities, so it's not worth the effort to educate. Rather, pointing out the failures of current 'conservative' Premiers is likely the better route. If everything is Trudeau's fault, then perhaps it's time to take the lead with Premiers and Mayors who actually recognize their responsibilities and desire to improve conditions for Canadians. (As you have indicated with Ebby in BC and a number of cities like TO) Given lack of affordable housing is actually a global issue, the Liberal effort to change this situation in Canada will have impact on approaches by other countries. Goodness - perhaps Trudeau is that powerful he has influence on other countries!?!?
Pushing Poilievre on his lack of policy to 'fix' his broken Canada is needed. 'Axe-the-tax', 'bring-it-home', 'Common Sense' are bad lyrics to a garage band tune without a melody - something a toddler would repeat. This rhetoric is certainly not Policy nor does he seem to recognize just how complex the world is and the global impact on all countries. But, Canadians do recognize this.