Dear Editor,
Do Canadians benefit from having a third party to hang their hats on when it comes to federal politics?
The Liberal-Conservative choice has failed to bring prosperity to Canadians struggling with the high cost of living. The forces of the status quo work very hard to keep things as they are, though vote-getting promises abound.
Over a million Canadians voted for the NDP, but because of the first-past-the-post electoral system the party won only seven seats and progressive Canadians lost their votes in the process. Over a million Canadians voted for the NDP in 2025 yet the party only won seven seats. The Liberals promised to change the system in 2015 but immediately reneged on their promise, leaving many progressive voters perplexed and dismayed.
A progressive party would act on electoral reform to bring fairness to the electoral system, an initiative requiring a huge commitment, and a major effort to educate Canadians on the issue.
Last winter the Conservatives were leading in the polls, brandishing a platform bemoaning the affordability crisis Canadians are going through. Poilievre lost the election, his abrasive manners and lack of clear policy objectives failing to sway voters to his cause. The Liberals, seen as the most likely alternative, harvested the votes that Poilievre scared off.
I believe Canadians are dismayed by the budget’s lack of initiative on making people’s lives affordable, on addressing climate change. Will the push for economic gains marginalize the needs of the environment, of the concerns of First Nations peoples? I believe Canadians want a government that champions inclusivity, heralding diversity of opinion, thinking and solutions. How we vote defines our national character. The duality in the current electoral system has neither brought needed solutions nor sufficiently represented Canada’s true values.
A progressive party would promise a national food store which would guarantee affordable and stable food prices. The homeless situation in Canada is a disgrace with the cost of renting or owning guided by the control of profiteers. The crisis in medical care demands a massive rebuild. Canadians need a pharmaceutical plan to help pay for the cost of prescriptions. Canadians do not need to be subsidizing billions to the oil and fossil fuel corporations. To flourish, people need access to the wealth of the country, a guaranteed income plan of some sort, giving people the means to better their lives.
A progressive party would be more forthright in its international relations, a beacon of peace, bringing aid to the millions of people suffering from innumerable violent conflicts. It would better define its relationship with so-called friends from a position of strength and would make new alliances. Trump has aligned himself with Putin and Netanyhu and this triumvirate has a callous disregard for life and the rule of law.
The Conservatives will never address the inequality of economic opportunity in Canada. The Liberals are too beholden to the corporations such as big oil and SNC Lavalin to truly represent the needs of working Canadians.
The times are ripe for a progressive party in Canada. It is time to give it serious consideration and make room for progressive voices in our political discourse. It is time to work for a change. We can do better than live in a Liberal-Conservative universe.
Carl Hager, Gatineau
Executive member of the Pontiac-Kitigan Zibi NDP riding association
