Great interview. I'm the same age as Kuruc, though my life has taken a different path, and I get a Sliding Doors vibe from reading these kinds of things. I begin to empathize. But then, as often happens, they valorize the Convoy, and being from Ottawa and having grown up in Centretown, with friends and family who were terrorized by the experience, the gap widens again.
Cards on the table: I love Bob Bratina (less right now than an hour ago, but still). I've never known if he was left out of cabinet because he was a maverick, or if (tale as old as time) he became a maverick because he was underutilized.
I mean, this guy might have the best pre-Parliament political resume for an MP who didn't make it past the backbenches in my lifetime. You're a prime minister with zero governing experience, almost nobody in your caucus with any governing experience, and the guy who ran Hamilton doesn't even get to be a parliamentary secretary, never mind a minister, because you've got plenty of people who'd previously run for mayor and lost who you'd rather put in? I'm not saying this is sour grapes on his part. But if it were, he'd sure be justified.
One reason governments rarely get a fourth term is because at some point over the first three terms, they alienate most of their Bob Bratinas---whether with policy or with personnel moves. And, sure - the power of incumbency brings new people in, which can sometimes offset this phenomenon. But eventually, it adds up.
This really sums up that Liberal weakness...when they talk to mirrors instead of windows...if the PM and his Katie were paying the least bit of attention to what is going on here and at so many places in Canada right now...perhaps they could get a grip.
But, when you have been in power for years and your meetings are just your friends...
Eventually people get tired of being told what they think and that is one of the things Justin Trudeau and his government love to do - tell people what to think. If they don't like that, he lectures them that they are not only wrong but morally bankrupt or worse. Mssrs Kuruc and Bratina get that and a lot of people are feeling the same.
There is an interesting reference to the Convoy, and that perhaps we may look back to see it as a watershed moment in Canadian politics.
One of the underdeveloped aspects of the Convoy was the HUGE, eye watering amount of money raised in no time flat. And no, it wasn’t dirty money from abroad but donated by average citizens from all across Canada and from all walks of life. $20 and $50 buck tosses in the hat that turned into staggering millions. It’s telling that political analysts aren’t spending any time thinking about this grass roots support and what caused people to become involved.
I’m no political scientist, but I would look at the money raised as a sign of trouble in the trenches for those who have a comfortable existence and prefer to look down on people who are working hard and paying for the culture wars battles of the elites. The Hamiltonians are sensing it too, and whether the trend holds or recedes is anyone’s guess.
Increasingly I dread the arrival of your latest essay. My chosen antidote is to postpone reading it and first go for a long walk so that I will have the strength to open it. Your hard work is excellent and very much appreciated. I chuckle that today you send a double dose. It will require a very long walk. Guess I should add thanks for the motivation to exercise.
Excellent article, Paul. In my opinion, this is where you are at your absolute best. Getting out of Ottawa and having coffee with some “outsiders” is exactly what we need more of in this journalistic environment. There’s an absolutely massive chasm between what the media and the general public on so many issues facing our country right now. This piece was well done, keep it up.
I live in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas (HWAD) and have helped on several Provincial PC and Federal CPC campaigns and have met Pierre several times. Minister Filomena Tassi was the Chaplain at my kids’ Catholic high school but now espouses all things Liberal. I can’t wait to see the back of her as she loses in the next election. She has failed on every file she’s had and never responds to constituents. She has been invisible in the riding since 2015. Good riddance and I’ll be sure to volunteer again...for HWAD and for Ned!
2 years can be a lifetime but there is a reason for the polls right now. People are tired of being preached to and called names. Never heard about the 2 gentlemen you were with but they ring true. The fascination with Trudeau has waned for a lot of liberal voters who could just see a head of hair and such a warm and fuzzy politician after the coolness and intelligence of a Harper. Time will tell, but the times they are a changing.
You will see a lot more of this in the next few years. Many Canadians are concerned about economics and freedom not the cultural issues our prime minister keeps pushing.
I was a seven time Green Party candidate (1993 to 2002). Recently I was asked to run as a candidate for the BC Conservatives, and to help the federal Conservatives in my riding. I said no in August as I am still leery of all political parties in Canada.
There are a surprising number of center left Canadians that I know that are politically homeless or drifting to the Conservatives.
This is a valuable, if disheartening, look at the creep of Republican-style conservatism from south of the border. Substitute “liberty” for “freedom” and you’re pretty much there. And it seems to go beyond a throw-the-bums-out impulse that wafts around a nearly 10-year-old government. The appearance of John Diefenbaker in this column is probably not accidental. Nor should it be.
Bob and Ned and Justin and Pierre
I almost never post twice in a day, partly because I don't want the second post to bury the first. Make sure to check out this week's podcast episode, which I dare say is a good one. https://paulwells.substack.com/p/how-bill-c-18-is-threatening-a-local
Great interview. I'm the same age as Kuruc, though my life has taken a different path, and I get a Sliding Doors vibe from reading these kinds of things. I begin to empathize. But then, as often happens, they valorize the Convoy, and being from Ottawa and having grown up in Centretown, with friends and family who were terrorized by the experience, the gap widens again.
Cards on the table: I love Bob Bratina (less right now than an hour ago, but still). I've never known if he was left out of cabinet because he was a maverick, or if (tale as old as time) he became a maverick because he was underutilized.
I mean, this guy might have the best pre-Parliament political resume for an MP who didn't make it past the backbenches in my lifetime. You're a prime minister with zero governing experience, almost nobody in your caucus with any governing experience, and the guy who ran Hamilton doesn't even get to be a parliamentary secretary, never mind a minister, because you've got plenty of people who'd previously run for mayor and lost who you'd rather put in? I'm not saying this is sour grapes on his part. But if it were, he'd sure be justified.
One reason governments rarely get a fourth term is because at some point over the first three terms, they alienate most of their Bob Bratinas---whether with policy or with personnel moves. And, sure - the power of incumbency brings new people in, which can sometimes offset this phenomenon. But eventually, it adds up.
This really sums up that Liberal weakness...when they talk to mirrors instead of windows...if the PM and his Katie were paying the least bit of attention to what is going on here and at so many places in Canada right now...perhaps they could get a grip.
But, when you have been in power for years and your meetings are just your friends...
...you become irrelevant..
Eventually people get tired of being told what they think and that is one of the things Justin Trudeau and his government love to do - tell people what to think. If they don't like that, he lectures them that they are not only wrong but morally bankrupt or worse. Mssrs Kuruc and Bratina get that and a lot of people are feeling the same.
There is an interesting reference to the Convoy, and that perhaps we may look back to see it as a watershed moment in Canadian politics.
One of the underdeveloped aspects of the Convoy was the HUGE, eye watering amount of money raised in no time flat. And no, it wasn’t dirty money from abroad but donated by average citizens from all across Canada and from all walks of life. $20 and $50 buck tosses in the hat that turned into staggering millions. It’s telling that political analysts aren’t spending any time thinking about this grass roots support and what caused people to become involved.
I’m no political scientist, but I would look at the money raised as a sign of trouble in the trenches for those who have a comfortable existence and prefer to look down on people who are working hard and paying for the culture wars battles of the elites. The Hamiltonians are sensing it too, and whether the trend holds or recedes is anyone’s guess.
Increasingly I dread the arrival of your latest essay. My chosen antidote is to postpone reading it and first go for a long walk so that I will have the strength to open it. Your hard work is excellent and very much appreciated. I chuckle that today you send a double dose. It will require a very long walk. Guess I should add thanks for the motivation to exercise.
Excellent article, Paul. In my opinion, this is where you are at your absolute best. Getting out of Ottawa and having coffee with some “outsiders” is exactly what we need more of in this journalistic environment. There’s an absolutely massive chasm between what the media and the general public on so many issues facing our country right now. This piece was well done, keep it up.
Anyone who uses the word *woke* leaves left me cold.
“And people are tired of that. Just that whole woke agenda. People are tired of it”
Amen to that.
I live in Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas (HWAD) and have helped on several Provincial PC and Federal CPC campaigns and have met Pierre several times. Minister Filomena Tassi was the Chaplain at my kids’ Catholic high school but now espouses all things Liberal. I can’t wait to see the back of her as she loses in the next election. She has failed on every file she’s had and never responds to constituents. She has been invisible in the riding since 2015. Good riddance and I’ll be sure to volunteer again...for HWAD and for Ned!
Yes like a lot of Canadians I am very tired of Woke agenda politics. It’s very divisive and confrontational. Canada needs stability
2 years can be a lifetime but there is a reason for the polls right now. People are tired of being preached to and called names. Never heard about the 2 gentlemen you were with but they ring true. The fascination with Trudeau has waned for a lot of liberal voters who could just see a head of hair and such a warm and fuzzy politician after the coolness and intelligence of a Harper. Time will tell, but the times they are a changing.
You will see a lot more of this in the next few years. Many Canadians are concerned about economics and freedom not the cultural issues our prime minister keeps pushing.
I was a seven time Green Party candidate (1993 to 2002). Recently I was asked to run as a candidate for the BC Conservatives, and to help the federal Conservatives in my riding. I said no in August as I am still leery of all political parties in Canada.
There are a surprising number of center left Canadians that I know that are politically homeless or drifting to the Conservatives.
This is a valuable, if disheartening, look at the creep of Republican-style conservatism from south of the border. Substitute “liberty” for “freedom” and you’re pretty much there. And it seems to go beyond a throw-the-bums-out impulse that wafts around a nearly 10-year-old government. The appearance of John Diefenbaker in this column is probably not accidental. Nor should it be.
Great reporting, Paul, really enjoyed this post. Great insights.