Jason Cherniak

Our family had a nice afternoon walk talking to local residents of Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill. It was a federal day of action and we heard lots of support for Mark Carney, but there were also some comments about doing more for the middle class.

This is not a big surprise. Like many of my neighbours, we recently had to refinance the mortgage on our home. I understand how people in this community feel and all governments need to pay attention.

We are not talking about people living tough lives or with low incomes, but the reality is that suburban families with traditionally stable financial circumstances now find their stability at risk. Most of their equity is in their houses and those houses have lost value. Now they have to pay more interest to keep that house, which gives them less money for retirement and their daily needs.

All governments need to make sure that they stay ahead of the risks to the middle class lifestyle. That means focussing on new affordable housing without risking a crash of the existing market. For many suburban Canadians, it is already low enough to cause legitimate angst.

Evening mist over Lake Wilcox.

Remember to get your parking pass before you come here.

This weekend, I attended my first Liberal convention since 2014. I enjoyed catching up with friends from across the country who I have not seen for years. It reminded me why politics was fun in my younger days and I enjoyed it.

I also appreciated the opportunity to speak to some MPs, cabinet ministers and political staff about issues that are important to our community. Some of them included public safety, economic investment and Canadian unity (between different ethnic and religious groups).

I also spent some time on the more political side of things, recommending that people support Rob Cerjanec for Ontario Liberal leader.

Mark Carney’s speech at the end was both interesting and entertaining. With 4500 people in the room, every applause line was greeted with thunder (but not thunder sticks). Some turns of phrase caught me as pure Carney and I tweeted them out. I’d like to read the text, because I feel like there might have been some worthwhile arguments that I missed. Having never seen Carney speak to a large crowd in person, I was pleased with what I saw.

I have not been to a convention with so much positive energy since 2003. (2006 was great for the Dion team, but not everybody.) Mark Carney has not only united Canadians, but Liberals of all stripes. Now we need to do that for the Ontario Liberals.

At the National Liberal Convention, there was a Shabbat candle lighting on the agenda this evening. The room was packed for the weekly blessings and a bit of singing.

There’s lots of talk about what the Gladu floor crossing means. In my view, it means that even somebody like her who disagrees strongly with many Liberal policies recognizes that this government is good for Canada.

As long as the Liberal Party is not changing its policies to accommodate her, there is no reason to question where we stand on the issues on which she disagrees. Any Canadian willing to support the Liberals despite holding some views that the Liberal Party opposes should be welcome as long as they do not try to change what we stand for or make statements that would sow division.

What does it mean to have a big tent in politics? Sometimes, like during World War I, it can mean a national unity government. Other times, like during and following World War II, it can mean one party representing big business and the common person. Another example would be the big blue Ontario PC machine where you had to be a party member to get a job at the LCBO. Yet another example would be expanding the party so widely that there are too many priorities. Which version is Mark Carney building now?

Following a time in Canada when it seemed that the political culture was moving further toward extremes, Mark Carney‘s ability to solicit long-time Conservatives to his government - including social conservatives - seems incredible. However, it was not so long ago that “Liberals for Life” elected several MPs. They remained in the government for over a decade and it did not hinder the Liberal Party’s success. Legalizing non-heterosexual marriage also had its detractors in the Liberal Party. That did not stop the policy from being implemented, or those MPs from remaining in caucus (one for so long that many forgot).

The Liberal Party’s ability to become a big tent often makes the NDP and Conservatives accuse us of having no principle. I do not agree, because pragmatism can also be a form of principle.

To be clear, pragmatism does not mean picking and choosing policies based on what is popular. It means having an open mind, considering different sides and making a decision based on the current circumstances. CERB might have been necessary during COVID, but I would not support it today. Maybe I am enough of a partisan that I am fooling myself, but I don’t think so. I was one of those Liberals who felt that the federal party had abandoned me after Covid and I am glad I never had to make a choice between Justin Trudeau and Jean Charest. The disadvantage of a pragmatic political base is that voters - and even members - are open to changing their support.

What version of a big tent is Mark Carney building? My instinct is that it follows the World War II Liberal model. There is little doubt in my mind that CD Howe, Paul Martin Sr. and a young Paul Hellyer would have all been quite comfortable in a Carney cabinet. It could also be compared to the Martin Jr. years, but I think that’s a false comparison because there is no apparent national scandal eating up government credibility. Carney has also been good at using core issues to build his tent.

I do wonder what would happen if the Conservatives were to elect a new moderate leader. Would some of the floor crossers move back and make this look more like a brief coalition government? That is likely a hypothetical that will never come to be, because the Conservative base is more like that of 1950 than 2006. Despite the trend that we have become accustomed to, with governments ending after about a decade, I think it is possible and even likely for the Carney government to win another election.

The only way big tent Liberal Parties have been defeated in the last century without a scandal is when up against a big tent alternative. There is no reason to believe it will exist any time soon.

My aunt and cousin hosted 32 people for the first night of Passover. We hosted 9 for the second. For me, the most important part of Passover is spending time with my family. Chag Sameach to all who are celebrating!

What a great family evening watching the Blue Jays win!

Come join us at the Rotary Club of Richmond Hill Ontario booth at Mayor David West’s Maple syrup Festival.

What has Doug Ford accomplished? Many believe the one thing he knows how to do is build infrastructure. You might not like the billions of tax dollars he is spending on the 413, the tunnel under the 401, the proposed new island convention centre, a spa at Ontario Place and jets at the Toronto Island Airport, but at least he is building something… or so the thinking goes. I am not convinced that is true.

It has been 8 years - where is the 413? Perhaps more importantly for York Region, where is the Bradford bypass? How long was the downtown relief line delayed when Ford changed the route to the Ontario line? How long was the Yonge-North subway to Richmond Hill delayed by putting the Ontario Line first and changing the plans on Yonge? Now Ford wants to build an Island for a convention centre, buy Billy Bishop airport to enlarge it and build a tunnel under the 401. Doug Ford loves starting infrastructure projects, but he has a big problem finishing them.

The newest failure is Ford‘s inability to expand and electrify GO Trains. Today, the Toronto Star revealed that the $27 billion plan, scheduled to open in 2031, is being scaled back and delayed by a decade. Their article suggests that this idea started in 2018, but the previous Liberal government actually began it in 2011. Surprise - Ford changed the plans and delayed the project. Metrolinx also blames the competing resources for other projects that are yet to be built.

Unlike some Liberals, I support the Bradford Bypass and see the value of the 413. I spent a lot of time lobbying for the Yonge-North subway extension and I cannot wait for all day, 15-minute GO service in York Region. I can even admit that a double-decker 401 - if it did not bankrupt the province - would be good for traffic. Ford’s problem is not in vision; his problem is in results. He promises us the moon but delivers moon dust.

I know that it is a difficult time for the Persian community, but I hope that you are able to enjoy Nowruz and look forward to a better future.

Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate. I hope you enjoy time with family, friends and the community on this important day.