As Canadians, we enter 2025 not with a sense of unity or purpose but with frustration and disillusionment. Poll after poll, including recent findings by Angus Reid, confirms that we are a nation divided, not just by geography or culture but by the inadequacy of our political choices. This is the year without a party—a year where nearly half of Canadians feel unrepresented by any political option available to them. And yet, it can be the year of common sense if we demand it.
An Angus Reid poll paints a sobering picture: the Conservative Party of Canada leads in voter intention, but that’s no victory for national enthusiasm. Three of Canada’s party leaders are as unpopular as they’ve ever been, and nearly half of Canadians say no federal party represents their true values. Conservatives feel their party has veered too far to the right, while Liberals lament their party’s shift to the extreme left. Forty percent of Conservative voters and 39% of Liberal voters believe they have no party that truly reflects their views. This leaves Canadians—those in the middle—politically homeless.
This estrangement results from political parties being co-opted by activists and politicians who are driven by the fleeting whims of social media rather than the enduring principles of governance. The pendulum has swung too far in both directions, leaving many of us searching for a stable middle ground. I count myself among those without a party to align with entirely. And that’s a shame because political parties were not created to serve fringe groups or promote ideological extremes; they were created to serve the people.
Politicians were first elected to represent their constituents, to give voice to the majority’s concerns and to craft policies that enhance the common good. The origins of democratic governance were rooted in a belief that those we elect would prioritize public interest over personal ambition or factional demands. However, somewhere along the way, this mandate was forgotten. Today, politicians chase the loudest voices in the room, forgetting the silent majority that entrusted them with power.
Our governments should focus on what we need and pay for: public safety, infrastructure, and essential services. These are the pillars of a functioning society. Yet, more often than not, we see resources diverted to satisfy small but vocal special interest groups while the needs of the majority are neglected. Public safety continues to deteriorate in cities like Winnipeg, infrastructure crumbles under years of neglect, and essential services are stretched to the breaking point. This is not governance; it’s chaos. And it is Canadians who pay the price.
Politicians need to be the leaders of common sense. Leadership is not about making everyone happy; it is about making decisions that are necessary, even if they are unpopular. Governments at all levels must prioritize controlling spending and curbing government overreach. Unfortunately, in Manitoba and Winnipeg, this seems to be a lost cause. Year after year, regardless of the party in power or the political leanings of municipal leaders, inefficiency reigns supreme.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier Wab Kinew, and Mayor Scott Gillingham have all failed to prioritize efficient governance. Instead of focusing on the fundamentals of running government effectively, they seek to placate small, vocal groups in pursuit of likes, shares, and favourable headlines. Now before some say the Manitoba PC party was just as bad, let me tell you, I agree with you. They didn't deserve to win. This obsession with optics over outcomes is detrimental to the long-term health of our democracy. Canadians need a government that will rise above the noise and address issues that matter to all, not just to those who shout the loudest.
I want a common sense approach to governance—a party that focuses on issues impacting all Canadians rather than catering to niche interests. We need leaders who understand the importance of creating an environment for success, one that values partnerships with the private sector rather than stifling them with unnecessary regulations and red tape. For example, in Manitoba, the largest employer is the government. This is unsustainable. A society where government employment dominates the economy is a society on the path to stagnation, if not outright failure. History provides clear examples: economies with outsized government roles often collapse under their own weight, edging toward authoritarianism and economic ruin.
Consider the lessons from nations that embraced this model. When the government becomes the largest employer, innovation dwindles, private enterprise falters, and citizens are left dependent on a bureaucracy that cannot sustain itself. This is not a recipe for prosperity; it is a warning sign. Manitoba and Canada as a whole must learn from these examples and avoid such a fate.
The division and disillusionment we see today are the direct result of political failures. Only 34% of Canadians say they feel pride in their country—a startling drop reflecting our national identity's erosion. Politicians on both ends of the spectrum are to blame for fostering division instead of unity. Their pandering to extremes has left the majority feeling alienated and unrepresented.
A common sense party would change this trajectory. It would focus on uniting Canadians by addressing shared concerns rather than dictating how we should think or believe. It would respect the privacy of our homes and the diversity of our opinions. Most importantly, it would govern with an eye toward the future, prioritizing long-term success over short-term political gains.
As we navigate 2025, we must demand better from our leaders. We need politicians who are willing to make tough decisions and focus on what truly matters: public safety, infrastructure, efficient services, and fiscal responsibility. We need a government that values partnerships with the private sector and fosters an environment where innovation and enterprise can thrive. We need leadership that understands the importance of national pride and works to restore it by uniting rather than dividing us.
This can be the year of common sense, but it will require Canadians to demand it. We must reject the extremes and embrace the middle ground, where pragmatic solutions reside. The path forward is clear; all that remains is the will to take it. Let’s make 2025 the year we choose common sense over chaos, unity over division, and progress over pandering.
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