The world鈥檚 political landscape is changing.
Two national elections held earlier this month, in the United Kingdom and in France, resulted in significant government changes in those two countries.
The British election meant the Conservative Party, in leadership for the past 14 years, is now the official opposition while the Labour Party now holds a majority government.
In France, a coalition of the political left won in that country鈥檚 election, but neither the left, the right nor the centrists hold enough seats to control the country鈥檚 National Assembly.
And in the United States, polling is close between the presidential candidates of that country鈥檚 two dominant parties. The American election, to be held in early November, will affect international affairs, no matter what the outcome.
The decisions made by voters in other countries will not be the same as the decisions made by Canadian voters. Our election is and must be our own.
At the same time, no country exists in a vacuum. What happens in one country, especially in a country with a strong global presence, will have far-reaching effects.
Although Canada鈥檚 next federal election is not expected until the fall of 2025, this is the time for political parties to determine how to position themselves, not only in response to issues within this country, but also as an international presence.
Slogans are not enough here. Voters will need to decide whether leadership and direction of a specific party is able to function effectively in international settings.
This is also the time for voters to begin thinking about how they wish to see Canada presented on the world鈥檚 stage.
Canada is under no obligation to follow the direction seen in the French or British elections, and Canadian voters do not need to elect a government with a similar ideology or leadership style to that in the United States.
Our government is our own, but it must function as a global presence.
鈥� Black Press
