Yesterday went as expected with a PC majority of 76 seats, which really was the worst case scenario, and what everyone was dreading.
It is terrible, but it’s not all bad news. The Green Party won a seat in Guelph, their first ever, alot of good opposition candidates won, and Toronto remained PC free, and progressive. The only change being it’s now mostly NDP instead of mostly Liberal as in the last election.
We all have alot to lose, and reason to worry, but life does go on. And we’re not alone. This political life battle is being played out everywhere. Elections aren’t about left vs right anymore. They’re now about right vs wrong, and bad vs good. Sometimes good wins and sometimes good loses. Having a bad, wrong government is hard news to take, but we can be secure in knowing the resistance everywhere is strong and organized, and that matters alot now, and will matter more in the years to come.
This is why I think despite the news we woke up to today, we still have reason to hope. Every generation has become progressively more progressive, left leaning and well informed. The millenials are aware from a much earlier age about politics and the importance of voting. They are the future, and can change the world politically.
People of my generation, Gen X, are evenly split, and creators of both today’s modern populus, and activist movements. I am very glad the younger generations are wiser and better, and equally smart, active and progressive. We need common sense, intelligent governance and voters. In the not too distant future, I am sure we will have both.
Another group that influences the vote is immigrants. Here the vote also seems evenly split, but more towards the liberal side. In many elections, such as the vote in Quebec for the religious wear ban bill, they can really rock it to the left. Their politics also tends to fall into generational and other demographic lines, but they are a strong hope for political sense the future.
There is hope for the future, but today is today. I woke up this morning to a less certain, secure and settled Ontario. Where many are wondering what they might lose as individuals, and a society. It’s not a nice feeling but one we are getting used to.
We have four years to get through. Let’s make them winning years, despite yesterday’s loss. We lost this battle, not the war. We can still thrive and win. Ontario can still carry on and continue its role as progressive leader of our nation.
Government is a part a life, not its whole. Let the people, business, industry and our collective hope and good sense and will write the story of these years. The motto of times of trouble has become a cliche, but it still ring true. Keep calm, fight back and carry on. Today is today, it’s not our future.
