COLUMN: Viewpoint – A time for unity

Wally Daudrich, who lost the recent Manitoba Conservative Party leadership race, got three times as many votes in the Steinbach constituency as the winner, Obby Khan. This, despite Steinbach MLA Kelvin Goertzen serving as co-chair of Mr. Khan’s campaign.

Steinbach Conservatives were no doubt disappointed their preferred leader was not elected. Mr. Goertzen however, encouraged them in his Carillon column following the vote, to unite behind Mr. Khan’s leadership in order to present a viable political alternative for the province. Mr. Goertzen pointed out there was value in debating differences, but also an ultimate need to join together going forward. It was a time for unity.

That wisdom isn’t only true in provincial politics. By analyzing the Conservative loss in the federal election I think we can see what happens when there are unity struggles within a political movement. Conservative premiers Doug Ford and Tim Houston not only failed to voice their full support for the national party leader Pierre Poilievre; at times they were openly critical of him.

During the election campaign Alberta Premier Danielle Smith talked repeatedly about separation for her province. While the Alberta United Conservative Party has every right to air their grievances with Ottawa, they might have been wise to at least temporarily put aside their complaints during the campaign. Premier Smith’s attempts to curry favour with President Trump and her comments about how Mr. Trump and Mr. Poilievre were so much alike, did the Conservatives no favours in the election.

The Liberals, on the other hand, got their differences out of the way before the election was called, ousting Mr. Trudeau and installing Mr. Carney as leader. Thus they were able to present a more united front during the campaign.

And what’s true for political parties is true for our country as whole right now. Michael Zwaagstra’s Carillon column immediately following the federal election expressed disappointment Mark Carney had won but reminded readers of the importance of respecting our new Canadian leader. He wished him well in his efforts to negotiate with our American neighbours, particularly over the issue of crippling tariffs. Mr. Zwaagstra pointed out the value of debate and differences but the ultimate need to join together to protect Canadian democracy. On some issues there can be unity.

I did not vote for the Liberal party, but I followed with hopeful interest Prime Minister Carney’s recent visit with President Trump. I sincerely wanted him to be successful in his attempts to set up a more amicable relationship with the American President while standing firm in support of Canada’s interests. I believe, that when it comes to our relationship with our southern neighbour, we need to act as united citizens whatever our political affiliations. This is a time for unity.

In his victory speech after the Liberal election win, Prime Minister Carney said our country would need three important things going forward- humility, ambition and unity. He reminded Canadians that in the past they had done seemingly impossible things by uniting to build our nation, uniting to confront the truth about the relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples, and uniting to create universal public health care.

He noted how in the face of the threat of an American takeover we were uniting again to buy Canadian products and choosing to explore our own country rather than travel to the United States. Prime Minister Carney encouraged us to unite to build a strong economy for Canada that works for everyone. He said it is time for Canadians of all political affiliations to unite to make our country great.

This is a time for unity.