Yesterday was Canada’s federal election, and the liberal party was elected to a minority government, just a few seats short of the majority. This was what I wanted, so I thought I would feel relief with this result. However, I am left feeling anxious and isolated. With the NDP losing official party status with only 7 seats (a major loss from its previous 24 seats) and the mass divisiveness I see on social media, from both sides of the political spectrum, it feels as though Canadians are forgetting who we are. I get it – I really do. I empathize with those who are struggling to keep a roof above their heads and food on the table. I empathize with those frustrated about the never-ending rising cost of living. But we cannot lose sight of our values, who we are, and what makes Canada the country it is.   

The NDP shot themselves in the foot numerous times during this election campaign, which tends to be a recurring issue with them, losing many supporters with their floppy views (specifically regarding the genocide in Palestine), smear campaigns against the liberals, and trying to appeal to younger audiences through social media (and failing to do so). It is frustrating and infuriating to watch the NDP make the same mistakes election after election. I don’t blame Canadians for not having faith in the NDP, as they have failed to give us reasons to trust their stances, and perhaps they deserved to lose their party status. Despite all of their shortcomings, they have done amazing things for Canada. 

The NDP fought for Canadians to receive (and extend) CERB during the pandemic, saving many Canadians after losing their jobs or being unable to work, for pharmacare, national dental care programs, lowering taxes for the middle class, $10 a day childcare, and numerous other social and healthcare supports that serve lower-income individuals. Having fewer NDP seats in the House means less support for these essential programs, especially right now, with so many Canadians struggling to keep up with the cost of living. I understand why the NDP has lost so many seats, but it induces fear in me to think that many Canadians may not see the benefits of our taxes going towards the health and wellness of our fellow Canadians, specifically those in marginalized groups. Maybe many Canadians didn’t understand this, as the NDP has failed to properly convey their campaign and the way they could benefit the lives of so many of us, or it could be that people really don’t see the benefit of helping those who need it most if it means they will be taxed less. That conclusion cannot be drawn and is dependent person by person, but it still saddens me to think about it. 

While I am disappointed in the NDP, I am also disappointed in my fellow Canadians’, left and right-leaning, responses to the election results. I have seen TikTok videos and Instagram stories from left-leaning individuals gloating and shaming the right. I understand it is easy to fall into this trap – it’s so easy to say, “I told you so,” but this only separates us further. It is one thing to be excited and happy in private, to feel proud that our country is not following the dreaded path of fascism like America, but there is still so much work to be done. Gloating and rubbing this “win” in people’s faces will only push them further right, drawing out more hate and division. In the same breath, I understand it is hard not to stoop to that level when we witnessed first-hand the way Trumpers reacted to his presidential win only a few months ago. However, if we want conservatives to keep an open mind and acknowledge the way the liberal party may benefit us as a whole, we must remain humble, open, and united. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing – to be heard and respected. I understand this isn’t always easy, and in no way am I perfect in this regard, but I hope we all can consider the values of inclusion and unity that we hold close to our hearts, and not put others down in the meantime. 

As for my right-leaning Canadians, no, we do not see eye to eye, but I can understand how the election results were not what you wanted. We have all been there – it’s disappointing and defeating. I see that you wanted change and a prosperous future for Canada, but at what cost? In the 20 years Pierre Poilievre was a member of Parliament, he voted against numerous bills that would benefit all of us in the lower and middle classes. He frequently targeted marginalized communities like Canada’s Indigenous population, the LGBTQ+ community, the elderly, and women, all of whom are a major part of Canada’s history and identity. I would like to believe that many people who voted for the conservative party were unaware of his voting history in the House, but that just can’t be true. One of Canada’s biggest values is our diversity and acceptance. People think of us to be one of the nicest, most inclusive countries in the world, so why are we demonizing the groups of people that make up this identity? For the sake of some tax breaks and a few hundred extra dollars in our pocket? I know people are struggling in our current economy, but we cannot forget our values. If we don’t have our values, we have nothing. Point the finger in the right direction. Educate yourself on what is dealt with at a federal versus provincial level, and I am almost certain, many of the issues Canadians are facing are dealt with at a provincial level, many of which currently hold a conservative government. Hold your premier accountable! We must learn from these trying times and do better in the future. We cannot allow someone who thrives on the fear of Canadians to run for prime minister again, or we will end up like America.   

With all of this being said, I have not lost hope. I believe that we, as Canadians, are capable of coming together and being united. No, we will never all agree on the same things, but I hope we can agree on one thing: we cannot sacrifice our values for prosperity. We are not America; we are our own country, with our own values, and we can all exist together without the mass division that has erupted over the last few years. Despite all the mixed feelings that came with this election, it does, in some ways, feel like a turning point for Canada.