It appears a brand new national political party is trying to get off the ground. At first we might heave a heavy sigh and say that’s all we need. However, in a democracy like ours I don’t think there’s a limit on how many parties there can be, is there? As long as you can get enough card-carrying members who support the party financially and by voting for it, or in effect its candidate, on Election Day, it’s theoretically possible to have multiple parties clamouring for attention in the House of Commons, or provincial legislatures. There are currently 5 federal parties, the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP, Greens, and Bloc Quebecois, and if Maxine Bernier has his way, the People’s Party of Canada will make it 6. It’s interesting to note the name. Bernier is a Conservative but the name evokes images of the left, the very, very far left, at least for anyone who is a baby boomer or older. Bernier says for too long Canadian politics has been hijacked by interest groups, cartels, lobbies, international organizations, corporate or union interests, and the interests of politicians and bureaucrats in Ottawa who are disconnected from ordinary citizens. He is firmly against the supply management system that protects our dairy and poultry farmers. He also frets about sustaining Canadian values. He’s not saying people who come here today don’t share our values but he wants to be sure people who come to this country in the future will always share Canadian values. Will the People’s Party of Canada have a future? Time will tell if enough Canadians buy what Mr. Bernier is selling.
That’s Coffeetalk. I’m Vic Dubois.