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For a while, and for the second consecutive federal election, I found myself feeling like a “political orphan.” I didn’t align with any particular political party. Instead, I listened closely to what the leaders say, observe their actions, and ultimately cast my vote for the one who resonates with me the most. The last politician who truly embodied the values I admire was the late Jack Layton.
That was until Justin Trudeau resigned and I started listening to the new candidates, to be fair to them but to me as a voter as well. And that’s also when I found myself agreeing more and more with Mark Carney. I looked at his credential, his experience and listened to his platform, which was more center than far left like Trudeau, of extreme right like Pierre Poilievre… and it resonated with me.
There was only one time in over 40 years of eligibility that I voted strategically, and that was to prevent Stephen Harper from being re-elected. After witnessing his disregard for his own legal advisors, his attempts to undermine unions, weaken the middle class, and impose contracts on the Public Service and the RCMP that were inconsistent with prior agreements. Sadly, since then, no leader had fully inspired my confidence or offered a clear path to progress.
In a rapidly evolving world, holding firm to one’s beliefs can sometimes feel like swimming against the tide. Yet, it’s precisely these principles that shape our society and guide our collective conscience. I stand by a set of beliefs that, while controversial to some, I believe are essential for fostering a fair, sustainable, and prosperous future. These beliefs span various aspects of life, from personal rights and responsibilities to government structure and societal norms. As we navigate through complex issues such as gender equality, environmental stewardship, and public policy, it’s crucial to approach these topics with a balanced perspective rooted in common sense and practical solutions. As Canadians will be heading to the polls on April 28th, I outline my views on these pressing matters, hoping to spark thoughtful dialogue and inspire others to reflect on their own positions.
Social Issues and Equality
Abortion as Contraception:
Abortion should not be used as a convenient form of contraception. While I firmly believe in the legality of abortion and a woman’s right to choose, it should not be a solution for reckless behaviour. Access to abortion should be protected, but with responsible and thoughtful consideration. Simply put, it should not be a fallback for those who choose to engage in risky behaviour without considering the potential consequences.
Gender and Racial Equality Without Imposed Ratios:
I advocate for true gender equality, where opportunities are based on merit rather than mandated quotas. Historically, women and minorities have been unfairly disadvantaged, and rectifying this is crucial. However, swinging the pendulum too far by enforcing ratios can undermine meritocracy. Ensuring that the best candidate gets the job should be the primary goal, regardless of gender or race. This same principle applies to racial equality—fair opportunities for all without artificial constraints.
Inclusive but Not Exclusive Promotion:
Inclusion is about ensuring everyone has equal opportunities and feels valued, but it shouldn’t involve singling out specific groups for special promotion. Elevating one group above others can create division rather than unity. Instead, we should focus on inclusive policies that benefit all, regardless of race, religion, or lifestyle. Promoting diversity should be about education and creating equal opportunities, not about favouring specific groups over others. I elaborate on this perspective in my blog post: Redefining Inclusion: Pushing Education, Not Promotion.
Equal Rights Under the Law:
Every Canadian, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation, should have the same rights and responsibilities. The law must apply equally to all. If you wish to become a Canadian citizen, adherence to our laws is non-negotiable. There should be no special privileges based on identity.
Gender Identity in Legal Contexts:
While people are free to identify however they choose in their personal lives, legally, we must adhere to the biological definitions of male and female. Legal and medical systems are based on these fundamental distinctions, and they should remain consistent. Biological realities cannot be ignored in matters of law and public policy.
Hiring politics:
The intentions for hiring based on gender and race were legitimate and well intended. There is no denying that some places of employment were caucasian males dominant and there were reasons to question why that was the case. But the hiring practices – or politics – have now gone too far. Return to hiring based on experience and skills. We are now passing on the best candidates because of quotas of gender or race are not met. Skills should come first, the tie breaker being filling such “quotas”.
Age Restrictions and Personal Responsibility for Gender-Affirming Surgeries:
Decisions about gender-affirming surgeries should be made by adults, not minors, and the costs associated with these surgeries, including potential complications, should not be borne by taxpayers. It’s a deeply personal choice and one that should come with individual responsibility.
Transgender Athletes in Sports:
Transgender women (male-to-female) should not be allowed to compete in women’s athletic events. The inherent physiological advantages can create unfair competition, undermining the integrity of women’s sports.
Respect for the Canadian Flag:
The Canadian flag should always be flown with dignity and respect. While political leaders may change, the flag represents the enduring spirit of our nation and should never be displayed upside down or worse, burnt and torn. Such offense should come with severe consequences.
2. Law, Crime and Justice
Death Penalty for Repeat Offenders with Irrefutable Evidence:
In cases where there is undeniable evidence, such as DNA, the death penalty should be an option for repeat offenders. This would help free up prison space, perhaps serving as a deterrent for those who commit serious crimes repeatedly.
Community Work for Non-Violent Prisoners:
Non-violent offenders should contribute to society through mandated community work, reflecting their cost-free living and providing a pathway for rehabilitation and restitution.
Immediate Deportation for Criminal Immigrants:
Immigrants who commit crimes should be deported promptly. Choosing to live in Canada means respecting our laws, and violating them should have clear consequences. This does not mean mass-deportation as we’re seeing under DOGE in the Trump administration, far from there, but rather on individual basis.
3. Government Reform and Accountability
Streamlining Government Powers:
To reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and costs, some powers currently held by provincial governments should be centralized at the federal level. This consolidation could help eliminate redundancies and streamline governance. We have been bearing the financial burden of overlapping jurisdictions for too long.
Free Trade Within Canada:
One economy across Canada, not 13. The shameful display between British Columbia and Alberta over the pipeline a few years ago, and the subsequent boycotts of oil and wines served no other purpose than to divide our Country. This is not kindergarten and leaders should behave accordingly.
Reducing the Size and Cost of the Senate:
The Canadian Senate has become an unnecessary financial burden on taxpayers, including the lifetime pensions provided to Senators. This institution should be reformed to reduce costs and improve efficiency, ensuring it serves its intended purpose without excessive expenditure.
Reforming Pensions for Public Servants:
No public servant, including politicians, should receive a full lifetime pension after serving just 6-8 years. Pension benefits should be proportionate to the years served, ideally capped at twice the duration of service. Public servants should also contribute to their pension plans, as other employees do, ensuring fairness and sustainability.
Limiting Corporate and Union Donations to Political Parties:
To reduce undue influence, corporations, unions, and non-profit organizations should be prohibited from donating to political parties. Additionally, there should be strict limits on individual contributions to ensure that political power isn’t unduly influenced by wealth.
4. Economic and Taxation Policies
Taxation of Social Media Revenues:
The revenue generated by social media platforms should be subject to closer taxation scrutiny. This can help alleviate the financial pressures on small businesses and ensure fair competition in the market, as well as addressing staff shortage in many businesses.
Tax Breaks for Retired Senior Citizens:
Retired seniors should receive tax breaks on essential goods and services. Additionally, their income tax brackets should be reduced by 50% after the age of 65 for those earning below a certain threshold, such as $100,000. After a lifetime of contributing to society, they deserve financial relief in their golden years.
Regulating Mega-Mergers to Preserve Competition:
The government should enforce stricter controls on mega-mergers to prevent monopolies and preserve competitive pricing. This ensures a fair market where consumers benefit from a variety of choices and fair prices.
Restricting Foreign Ownership of Residential Properties:
To keep housing affordable for Canadians, restrictions should be placed on foreign ownership of residential properties. This can help curb the escalating costs of housing and ensure more Canadians have access to affordable homes.
5. Education
Educational Standards and Accountability:
We should return to a system where students must meet minimum standards to pass. Achieving at least 50% should be mandatory to advance in school. This reinforces the values of discipline and reward for effort, ensuring that we produce competent and well-educated future leaders. If students can’t achieve that, they should have to do what was done in the past and “retake” that year.
Prioritizing Canadian Students in Universities:
Canadian universities should prioritize admissions for domestic students. International students should only be considered if there are available spaces after accommodating all qualified Canadian applicants. Looking after our own resident students and their education should always be a priority.
Student Loans and Workforce Retention:
To encourage education and workforce retention, establish a system where a portion of student loans can be written off. This would be based on meeting specific conditions, such as securing employment in the student’s primary field of study. Loan forgiveness incentives would be tied to the number of years worked in that field within Canada, with a percentage of the loan being written off over time. Strict guidelines would ensure the system is fair and effective.
Public Funds for Public Schools:
Public funds should be reserved exclusively for public education. Private schools should not receive government fundings, ensuring that public resources are used to benefit all students equally.
6. Domestic and Foreign Priorities
Prioritizing Domestic Needs Before Foreign Aid:
We should prioritize addressing our domestic issues, such as shortages in healthcare and education, before allocating funds to other countries. While international aid is important, we must first ensure that our own citizens’ basic needs are met.
Effective Gun Laws and Enforcement:
Canada’s current gun laws are sufficiently strict. Instead of funding firearm buy-back programs from law-abiding citizens, resources should be directed towards combating illegal gun smuggling, particularly from the U.S. Strengthening our border security will more effectively address gun violence.
7. Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship:
Our environment cannot defend itself; it is our responsibility to protect it. This means taking daily actions to preserve and improve it. We should shift our mindset from merely trying to leave a better planet for future generations to also raising better-educated and environmentally conscious children who can continue this work. It starts at home with parenting and extends to our educational systems.
Crown Land Accessibility:
Ensure broad access to Crown Land for the general population, making it readily available for a wide range of outdoor activities. Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and ATV clubs, as well as trail systems, should all be easily accessible. These activities play a crucial role in helping people escape the stresses of daily life and reconnect with nature.
8. Medical Care
No Kickbacks for Doctors on Drug Prescriptions:
It is important to distance the pharmaceutical companies (and research) from our doctors. Doctors should never receive any form of kickback for prescribing medications. This practice creates a conflict of interest that can jeopardize patient health and undermine trust in medical professionals.
Support for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID):
I support the principles of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) as practiced in British Columbia. This compassionate option allows individuals, like my own mother who faced terminal lung cancer, to choose their end-of-life journey with dignity.
Compensation for Remote Locations:
Many provinces offer incentives to doctors, nurses, and medical staff to work in remote locations, but these efforts are clearly insufficient, as many Canadians still lack access to essential care. Medical professionals often relocate to larger centers at the first opportunity, leaving thousands without doctors and causing periodic closures of emergency rooms due to staffing shortages. To address this, greater financial benefits should be provided to encourage long-term commitments to smaller towns.
In a world where ideologies often clash and consensus seems elusive, it is vital to articulate and stand by one’s beliefs. My viewpoints, I’m sure, do not align with everyone’s, but they are grounded in a commitment to fairness, responsibility, and the collective good. Whether discussing the legitimacy of our laws, the need for true equality, or the imperative to protect our environment, these positions aim to foster a society that values merit, integrity, and sustainable progress. By engaging in open dialogue and considering diverse perspectives, we can strive towards a more just and balanced future. It is through such conversations that we grow, evolve, and ultimately, find common ground. I invite you to reflect on these ideas, challenge them, and share your thoughts as we all seek to contribute to the betterment of our society.
But in the world that we know now, with the threat that faces us with a lunatic at the helm south of our border, I will choose to rest my hopes on Carney and a more central Liberal party at the next Federal elections. Carney, the man credited by the Harper government in 2008 for helping Canada avoid a financial disaster. The same man Harper offered the position of Minister of Finance in 2015… and who is now hypocritically being attacked by the Conservatives. I do NOT trust Poilievre, supported by the Trump administration and Elon Musk, to do what’s right for everyone in our Country. In fact, he’s the last politician that I’d trust… aside perhaps from the man who controls him: Stephen Harper.
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