Liberal Values Are Canadian Values Martin Goldfarb
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30 Justin Trudeau canoeing on the Bow River in Calgary on the morning of the second leaders’ debate. Adam Scotti photo. Liberal Values Are Canadian Values Martin Goldfarb This wasn’t just a “throw the bums out” election. As ustin Trudeau was elected with traditional Liberal values driving the dean of Canadian pollsters who made his reputa- J his choices and the historical Lib- tion taking the pulse of Canadians for Justin Trudeau’s eral coalition of voters and regions of father, Marty Goldfarb knows a lot about Canadian the country rallying to his message. values. For nearly a decade, Stephen Harper made Historically, Liberals won elections when Quebec and Ontario were on our national conversation about boutique tax breaks, the same page. Liberals won elections systematically violating the Charter of Rights and, when they won at least half the seats in finally, snitching on your neighbour. Justin Trudeau Atlantic Canada and Quebec and two- thirds of the seats in Ontario. When promised a return to the traditional Canadian values this happens, they form the national of economic equality, inclusivity and optimism. government. Nothing is new about this. And, it is exactly what happened in 2015. The traditional Liberal coali- tion came together again, attracted by Liberal values. Policy 31 In the 2011 election, many in Que- bec voted for the NDP as a protest Liberals won elections when they won at least half against Stephen Harper while desert- the seats in Atlantic Canada and Quebec and two- ing the Bloc Québe(aigu)cois, but thirds of the seats in Ontario. When this happens, they form they were never truly NDPers. In the national government. Nothing is new about this. And, it 2015, Quebecers realized that voting for the NDP left them out of the de- is exactly what happened in 2015. The traditional Liberal cision-making in Ottawa, and Que- coalition came together again, attracted by Liberal values. bec wanted to be part of national decision-making—not relegated to the fringe. When people in Quebec realized—halfway through the elec- tion—that the NDP was not gaining on the Liberal Party. The Liberal Canada, all of these people were strength in English Canada, they be- brand never died. It was an embar- united in voting Liberal. rassment for a short period of time gan to swing away and switch, espe- Above all, these values are exem- under these leaders but Liberal roots cially in urban areas, to the Liberals. plified in the Charter of Rights and and Liberal values endured. The Freedoms. Canadians love the Char- This is the real reason that NDP sup- party never changed its colours, its ter, despite Harper’s concerted ef- port collapsed in Quebec. Their sup- symbols or its name. The historical forts over the past 10 years to dimin- port of a woman’s right to wear a connection of Justin Trudeau’s Lib- ish the Charter both in the courts niqab is a red herring. After all, Tom eral Party to the past is clear. and as an element of our national Mulcair and Justin Trudeau took the Justin Trudeau reintroduced Canadi- narrative. same stance on this issue. ans to those values: trust, tolerance, Canadians were uncomfortable with Quebecers wanted both a change of transparency, peace, justice, prosper- these Harper policies: government, as well as to be part of ity, opportunity, fiscal responsibil- the new government. When Que- ity, social justice and economic na- • being a snitch society; bec and Ontario come together they tionalism. These are historical. It is form an axis that controls who gets these values that drove the decisions • discriminating against any one elected to form the federal govern- that Trudeau made during the cam- group; ment. This is the nexus of the Liberal paign, for instance: • excessive interest in security— federal strength in Canada and one • Announcing that Canada would especially at the expense of that Brian Mulroney used as a model accept 25,000 Syrian refugees personal freedom; for his victories. For a time, under Mulroney, a fluently bilingual Que- • Stating that wearing the niqab is a • attacking the Supreme Court and becer himself, Quebecers connected women’s right the Charter. with the Progressive Conservatives. Mulroney also won a large portion • Supporting funding of the CBC anadians experimented with of Ontario as a Progressive Conser- • Helping students finance their the Harper Conservatives for vative. However, Progressive Con- education C 10 years and then decided servatives are not the Harper Con- they could not live with those values. servatives. Their values are not that • Announcing that CPP would start This is not about the natural fatigue different than historic Liberal values. again at 65, not 67 with a government after 10 years. Ca- nadians decided Harper Conservative • Doubling infrastructure spending Quebec today has a Liberal mayor values do not reflect what they think in Montreal and a Liberal provincial • Committing to build more navy of as the Canadian way. On Octo- government, which has reached out ships in Canada ber 19, Canadians rejected: building to the Liberal government in Ontar- more prisons; thinking there is a ter- io. These two provincial Liberal gov- These are decisions driven by Liberal rorist on every corner; expanding the ernments have similar values that values—values that drove Pierre El- security state; rejecting science as a drive the choices they make. liot Trudeau’s decision making, that decision-making tool and muzzling drove Paul Martin’s decision making government research professionals; anadians’ collective values and drove Jean Chrétien’s decision expanding CSIS; and taking citizen- have not changed. The Lib- making. They appeal to traditional ship away from dual citizens who C eral brand continues to res- Liberal voters, the young, those over have committed certain crimes. onate with Canadians. The public 65 and new Canadians. Whether may have been uncomfortable with you look at the results of the election Liberals see a benefit to government. Michael Ignatieff and Stéphane Dion by gender, by income, or by ethnic- Liberals do not see government as but they never completely gave up ity in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic the enemy of the people. Liberals see November/December 2015 32 government as a force for the good Liberals see a this promise under Justin Trudeau is Better is Always Possible. This exem- of the collective. Liberals spend for benefit to the good of society. Harper’s end plifies the Canadian dream. goal was to reduce government with government. Liberals do What Harper did not display was the a fundamental belief that expendi- not see government as the ethic of responsible citizenship and tures are evil. Harper tried to shift enemy of the people. that is what the Liberal brand has Canadian values and he failed. Liberals see government as stood for in the past and continues This election attracted 68 per cent of a force for the good of the to stand for today. Conservatives will need to rethink their values. the population to vote, up from 61 collective. Liberals spend per cent in 20011, and 58 per cent for the good of society. Martin Goldfarb, the dean of in 2008—a return to levels not seen Canadian pollsters, was the Liberal in more than 20 years. Because this Party’s pollster during the Pierre was an election about values rather A brand is a promise you make con- Trudeau years. He is Chairman of than specific policies, more Canadi- sistently over time. Liberal values Goldfarb Marketing. mgoldfarb@ ans came out to vote again. drive the Liberal brand promise and goldfarbmarketing.com ELECTION 2015 www.policymagazine.ca November—December 2015 Canadian Politics and Public Policy A Policy/iPolitics Working Lunch The Rideau Club 99 Bank Street 15th Floor Election 2015 The Winner Wednesday, November 18, 2015 $6.95 Volume 3—Issue 6 12 – 2 PM Policy Editor L. Ian MacDonald in conversation with: Catherine Cano, Director of News, Radio-Canada Susan Delacourt, Author of the bestselling Shopping for Votes and columnist for the Toronto Star and iPolitics Don Newman, Chairman Canada 2020 and columnist for Policy Audience Q&A will follow Emcee: James Baxter, Editor, iPolitics Tables of 8 @ $1,000 Info: [email protected] or (514) 943-3868 [email protected] or (613) 789-2772 x 241 SPONSORED BY Policy .