The Voter's Independence

Leaders could follow independent voters' example by looking at issues rationally and considering alternative points of view.

If the state of Canadian politics today has shown us anything, it’s that no one person – no particular leader – can alone conquer this country’s challenges. Stephen Harper united the right, but sharply divided the rest of Canada along ideological lines. Stéphane Dion offered Canadians a reasoned, yet bold approach to tax policy, and failed miserably in his attempts to defend it. Elizabeth May brought energy, sincerity, and tenacity to the 2008 election campaign, and yet her Green Party came away without a single seat in the House of Commons.

The deal-maker, the policy wonk, the activist – equally well-meaning and strong in their convictions – have all failed to unite Canadians and inspire the courage necessary to make the hard decisions needed to meet the domestic and international challenges of the twenty-first century.

In selecting a leader to which Canadians can look for inspiration, I therefore choose our country’s independent voters.

Unwilling to make decisions based on ideology alone, these people contribute to the policy process by analyzing the issues of the day rationally. Not blinded by political loyalty, they think and reason independently, marking their ballots based on what they believe is best for Canada.

Dedicated independent voters go to the polls – federal, provincial, and municipal – at every opportunity, regardless of how ashamed they might be of the state of political discourse, the behaviour of our ruling elite, or the decidedly short-sighted nature of the majority of the policy proposals put forward in election campaigns.

They do so for two reasons. First, because they have not lost faith in the importance of democracy. They acknowledge that their opportunity to participate in a society that values free elections and secret ballots is a privilege to be cherished and protected. And they recognize that the future of Canada depends largely on the ability of our system of governance to reflect the will of the majority without unduly marginalizing minority opinions.

Second, they vote because they are idealistic. They still believe that every voice counts, that even if all signs suggest otherwise, the next government might be the one to take the bold risks, to consider the interests of all of us, and to restore a lasting sense of pan-Canadian national pride.

There is no one person – past or present – who can meet Canada’s challenges alone. There is no one leader that our current batch of politicians should aim to emulate. Rather, the future of Canada depends on a mindset – of unselfishness, commitment, sincerity, and idealism.