The one thing for sure in Canada these days that we do not waste time recognizing leadership. Leadership is a political ghost. It is something that politicians talk about but we never see it. It leaves us craving answers, direction, solutions and leaving us with the fear of missing out. It is so prevalent that it is simply called FOMO.
And it seems all our politicians are finding their own solutions. The major example of this is the recent report of Justice Rouleau on the government’s use of the Emergencies Act. What he could have said in much simpler terms was that because of the lack of leadership, the government had to use the act.
If Justin Trudeau had stuck to his true calling as an actor, we would all be cheering him on in his rendition of Hamlet. He did a wonderful solo act in front of Rideau Cottage during the worst of the pandemic. It helped us get through those times.
But in comparison, conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is a terrible actor with his artificial alarms, confusion and spurious accusations. As a leader, he is, at best, a wannabe. He lacks sincerity, truth, trust and common sense. He is a cold fish with no compassion or feeling for the Canadian people. He has no understanding of people’s needs or wants. He applies nasty answers to their desperations. He has no answers for environmental concerns. He demands small, unfeeling government in a cruel world. There is no joy in him.
For joy, you have to talk about Jagmeet Singh. In his bespoke suits from Harry Rosen and colorful turbans, he seems an unusual fit for the new democrats. He is a man caught up in 17th Century Sikhism who liked entertaining children on TikTok. With TikTok defamed as a Chinese intrusion on our politics, I guess the children will have to miss him.
Of course, the Peoples’ Republic of China thinks of leadership in terms of dictatorship. It is impressive to learn that they are taking an interest in our democracy. They seem to have so much to learn.
It would be a waste of space to try to include the appalling lack of leadership in most of the provinces but there is some hope in our bookend provinces of British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
-30-
Copyright 2023 © Peter Lowry
Complaints, comments, criticisms and compliments can be sent to: