The lesson of Monday’s Canadian election, for every leader and every party, was and is humility.
For Pierre Poilievre, mere months ago, comfortably gliding to become our Prime Minister, proud of his attack-dog status, his flair for stirring his base and chaffing his detractors, unbowed by Parliamentary censor for his “wacko” rebellions, too often reminded me of a man mired in ego who finds pleasure in spectacle. Personally, I don’t know if this is fair. This, however, appeared to be his public/political persona.
And it reminded many of the “leader” to the south. While Poilievre clearly isn’t Trump, he mimed the condescending stylings of Trump, his addresses cloudy with slogans and nicknames. Fox News carried and applauded his “apple-eating interview” (CBC called, the “orchard overture”), which was recorded and promoted by the Conservatives (T-shirts still available). Now, having lost his own seat, he’s stewing in the consequences of that compote. (This may have been the election Erin O’Toole would have won.)
I’ve found this to be true: that there are no paths to humility except humiliations recollected in seclusion, pondered in self-honest serenity. Mr. Poilievre has an opportunity here.
While humility does not yet appear to be in Poilievre’s vocabulary (I scanned the transcript of his concession speech), Mark Carney mentioned humility six times.
“I am going to begin with the value of humility and by admitting that I have much to be humble about. Over my long career, I have made many mistakes, and I will make more. But I commit to admitting them openly to correcting them quickly and always learning from them.”
And this:
“There is also, for me, …humility in recognizing that [while] many have chosen to place trust in me and the Liberal Party, millions of our fellow citizens preferred a different outcome.”
It would seem Prime Minister Carney has noted that the popular vote between Liberals and Conservatives was virtually a tie. Sadly, in my view, his victory came at the expense of the NDP (as well as the Bloc Québécois).
And the NDP, whose platform I support, who I voted for, has now lost official party status. And Jagmeet Singh has resigned. Enough humility to go around for all of us. (Not to mention the Green Party.)
Nevertheless, it was heartening to hear what these three leaders said in their post-election speeches, that, unity must eclipse partisanship. Perhaps this is Trump’s unwitting gift to Canada.
Those who wish to stand out through veiled or unveiled arrogance are all the same. It’s humility that differentiates, that stands as a light on a hill. And it’s humility that saves us from our failures and allows us to rise again, together.
There’s a kind of exhibitionist vanity that attracts and fascinates the collective eyes of our culture; humility, however, adds beauty to community and to our creation, because it draws attention away from ego to the transcendent Mystery of interconnection.
To riff on a quote by Emmanuel, Cardinal Suhard, humility is the ability to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if love, kindness, compassion, did not exist.
My friend, and unassuming mentor, Mary, calls this obedience to the unenforceable.
Sister Joan Chittister OSB, said,
“Humility, the lost virtue, is crying to heaven for rediscovery. The development of nations, the preservation of the globe, the achievement of human community depends on it.”
Mark Carney will keep the Canadian government on the same trajectory which Justin Trudeau put it on. He’s promised to add $250 Billion to the federal debt and pursue the net zero emissions agenda. Fortunately having only minority government status means he likely only has up to two years to pursue this.
Thanks, Ian. For Poilievre’s part, he’s promised to add $100 Billion and, of course, drastically cut environmental protections, foreign aid, and, naturally, the CBC. I have no fealty for either party. I still have hope, but I’m afraid we’re moving toward the corporate duopoly of the USA.
I kinda got side with Ian here, I don’t know the ins and outs of carney, but if he aligns with Trudeau and his agenda which seems to be similar. He’s no friend of mine. Pierre spoke what I wanted to hear. Less taxes more affordable living more opportunity for the common, and border control. We need all of those desperately. People are living on hotdogs out here people. We’ll be there soon if we these libs take us there. Anyway… I’ll rant if you let me.
Rant away, my son. You’ve got lots of company. And yes, Poilievre made lot’s of good promises, so I certainly get it. Thanks for responding, Lucas.
I agree Pierre has learned a lesson in humility which he has not yet publicly expressed.
Is the humility which Mark C expressed in abundance, to some degree false? He showed lots of ego campaigning on his record of dealing with financial crises. Jagmeet saw his humiliation coming prior to election day yet claimed some kind of victory for his defeat in his parting speech. Ms May decried the National Post for predicting the demise of the Green Party by declaring “I’m still here” while losing two thirds of her caucus. Yes lots of humilation to go around.
Thanks for this, Paul. I agree with your overview. While I appreciated Carney’s speech, the proof will be in the actions. And Mr. Singh, between emotional episodes, grasped for a bit of political dignity.
As you know Steve , I seldom comment on public space but … I simply don’t know who to believe. While Mr. Carney may have mouthed the word ‘humility’ , I distinctly recall his predecessor talking about ‘sunny ways’. I do worry the only thing that has actually been ‘won’ is deepening divide.
Thanks, Mike, for commenting. Your mistrust is widely shared. Carney has tried to distance himself from Trudeau, but the proof of that awaits. And yes, a ‘deepening divide’ is a legitimate fear. (With varying degrees of success and failure, lessening divisions is what I try to do here, with Grow Mercy.)
Well I will be glad to give PM Carney a shot! If ever I had a leaning toward the conservatives, the Freedom Convoy with its flagrant disrespect for peace and justice would have wiped it out. Less government control in areas like the rule of law, health, and stewardship of the planet can only allow corporate greed to amplify injustice for the most vulnerable and destruction of the earth. Your wisdom and fairness are always appreciated by this reader. Thank you, Steve! Mary
Thanks for this, Mary!
“I’ve found this to be true: that there are no paths to humility except humiliations recollected in seclusion, pondered in self-honest serenity. Mr. Poilievre has an opportunity here.” I smiled when I read this because of how real the opportunity is, whether one takes it or not.
Opportunities abound. 🙂 Thanks, Ann.
So I need to chime in since this has attracted so many of our family! Paul Wells wrote that Poilievre should find a Conservative MP willing to give up his seat for Poilievre to run in, and that the Liberals shouldn’t field a candidate. It would be a magnanimous gesture on their part, and I think Wells thought it might add to the lesson on humility.
BTW – excellent thoughts on that subject, Steve.
Thanks, Sam. It appears Poilieve has found his seat in rural Alberta. Safe enough. Upside is that it should quell the Alberta separatists somewhat.