What makes a great leader? A desire to create change? Patience and persistence? Aspiration for unity?
Whatever it is, in my opinion, we have yet to see any of the qualities listed above in a Canadian prime minister in a long time…
This country requires stability but lacks any real leadership—at least among those holding the highest positions of power in Canada. Every four years roughly 50% Canadians trudge to the polls to choose the lesser of evils to run their country. Voting is boring. The promises are boring. The party leaders are boring. Ever wonder why Canadians pay more attention to American politics than they do their own? Because American party leaders are just that…leaders. They may not be the greatest role models *cough* Bush *cough*, but they at least take a stand on tough issues and inspire change in the American people.
During election time in Canada, parties simply “promote” themselves by criticizing other parties…“I may have done this wrong, but Jimmy did this and that was much worse.” When will this ridiculous game end?
Though I do not know a great deal about Pierre Trudeau, I have learned through this course and through biographies that he was a true leader. Trudeau was not afraid to express his genuine opinions and beliefs, and he was not afraid to handle the criticism from those who disagreed with him. Trudeau understood he would never be able to satisfy the needs of everyone, but he proposed ideas and took action, both of which he believed would transform Canada and help it become a truly notable nation.
Whether or not people agreed with all of Trudeau’s plans for change, he at least brought new ideas to the table and wasn’t afraid to defend them.
Canada needs a true leader, someone who will not only inspire change, but will also create it. Opinions?
Erin
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8 comments:
Interesting post Erin! I agree that Canada is in need of a great leader, but I am not sure that I would look to Pierre Trudeau or the U.S. for examples of great leadership. Personality might create political excitement, but it does not necessarily get the job done.
Chalk it up to my Western roots, but I think Pierre Trudeau failed on many fronts. His stated primary objective as prime minister was to foster national unity, yet what he accomplished was the absolute opposite of that. He was so focused on Central Canada, or perhaps more accurately Ottawa, and on himself, quite frankly, that he further alienated Quebec, and lost all respect in the prairie provinces and B.C. It is interesting to note that when he was elected there were five Liberal provincial governments and, when he resigned, there were none. What's more, when he stepped down there were only two Liberal MPs representing constituents west of Ontario! Why is this? He sought economic policies that would benefit all of Canada, but what he would never admit was that his conception of Canada only included Ontario and Quebec. For example, his National Energy Program (which we've been reminded of recently by Stephen Harper) was particularly devastating. It is estimated that, as a result of the NEP, Alberta lost $50 to $100 billion! The recession was so bad, when my parents bought their first house in 1987, nearly every house that they looked at was a foreclosure being sold by the bank. It is sort of understandable why so many people in Alberta are passionately anti-Liberal. I won't argue that Trudeau was a complete disaster as prime minister, because I believe that his patriating the Constitution and enacting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms was a wonderfully positive initiative. At the same time, the way in which he went about it (excluding Quebec) was tremendously damaging. I do think, however, that in a nation with such deep regional divisions, a great leader must effectively mitigate our differences, rather than fuel the fire.
As for the U.S., yes their political parade might be more entertaining than what we have here in Canada, but that really has more to do with it being an extremely wasteful (in time and money) gong-show which is of minimal benefit to its citizens. I think if I had to vote in the U.S. I would feel an even greater sense of having to choose the lesser of evils. And you mentioned parties simply "promoting" themselves by critizing the other parties at election time. It seems to me that elections in the U.S. are even dirtier campaigns of unending mudslinging made possible by a distastefull bankroll. The fact that their "leaders" can justify spending $600 million on promoting themselves at election time when over one in three American children are without health insurance is appalling and not something I think we should look to replicate here!
I am not entirely sure what a "great" leader would look like, but I think you mentioned some important characteristics at the beinning of your post: a desire to affect (meaningful) change, patience, persistence, and aspiration for unity (but authentic unity, not the manufactured-superficial sort that seems to be popular with Canadian politicians). I would add to that list a strong ethical character, an openness to new ideas and the bravery to move beyond the status quo and make tough choices, and a willingness to truly engage Canadians in the politics of this country. Most importantly, what I would most like to see, is a leader who is honest and genuine. Who admits that he or she doesn't have all the answers, but is 100% committed to working with his/her colleagues and the Canadian public to seek out what is best for all of Canada and, beyond that, the global community.
I've been on a search looking for the next great leaders not just in Canada but also worldwide. However, I've found a few people in Vancouver, BC who seem as though they have great potential.
Vancouver, BC is becoming more and more visible on the Canadian political map, and maybe in a few years it will become a significant location on the Canadian political scene.
Until that time I believe that this is an area to watch, as there are some truly inspiring young emerging leaders coming from this area.
One in particular is Jefferson Mesidor. This is a young charming, and charismatic man who uses triumphant words and phrases such as,
"Canadians are a group of people with destiny written all over us"
"our real power is in our ability to create changes, and change with the times as a nation and as a generation."
His message to his generation (X & Y) is simply:
“everything that we do today and everything that we don’t do today, will shape the Canada and the world of tomorrow”.
The reason I call him an emerging leader is because he has stepped up to the plate.
As co-author of the book, Are You Canadian he sets out to, "inspire a generation into fulfilling their collective purpose and destiny as a nation".
and he is organizing the 2009 Are You Canadian rallies, designed to organize, inspire, inform the youth and young adults of Vancouver and the rest of Canada to exercise their power next year during our federal and provincial elections.
All the Canadian leaders of the next generation need to start to come forward, and I'm quite excited over the fact that you have young men and women such as Justin Trudeau about to emerge on the scene and others such as Jefferson Mesidor to rival each other, and in doing so will help make Canada an even greater nation than it already is.
Erin, you make a great point. I agree with you 100% I think that a new leader is way over due. We should do what LA did and get a celebrity figure. Don Cherry would be a great asset to our government not just becasue I'm a hockey fan, but what he represents. Respect, honour and.. LEADERSHIP!
I somehow find myself agreeing with many of the points brought up so far. Its true Canada is in need of a true leader, someone who can (taking examples from the original post) strive for and create change like JFK, unite and capture a nation like Trudeau, and have the smarts and goodwill of someone like Jimmy Carter. There is no country in the world which would not elect a person with these characteristics. The only problem is that no one is going to fill out the expectations of our increasingly diverse and educated society. In my opinion our next great leader is going to be a simple man/woman with a brilliant idea: make life better for all of us Canadians.
I think what you said about us essentially voting for the lesser of two evils is totally right on-- I don't read political platforms and think "wow, I whole-heartedly agree" I find myself thinking "I can't bring myself to vote conservative...or liberal...or NDP....or green!"
I find that if we aren't voting for the lesser of two evils often people are voting based on tradition or things they might have heard (either correct or incorrect)...which isn't good either (possibly worse?).
Good post!
Alright lol. I have nothing but respect for Trudeau. I think he do far more good then bad for our country. No matter how hard they try a leader will never be perfect nor should we expect them to be; we make mistakes we should allow others to do so as well. (Trudeau also changed the standard of education in our country and its just gone downhill again since him)
Anyways he was the last good leader we have had Erin so you are right on that one!
We are also in need of a good leader again! Doug you are right Don Cherry would be awesome lol..... although maybe not quite realistic lol... anything is possible I suppose.
Sara Benton~!
we need someone that will inspire people to vote, someone thats not afraid to take a stand on tough issues. we need someone that actually cares about the little guy and wants to better our country taking in the opinions of all the people. also someone that actually cares about our environment.
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