PEACE AND GOODWILL

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is not the first to call a questionable snap election, nor will he be the last. He certainly has made himself the target. Or has he? Sure, Trudeau had things thrown at him. His masochistic campaign undoubtedly instilled excitement into the otherwise weightless Canadian politics. On televised debates, however, other party leaders were made targets too. More importantly, no sooner did they state their scripted, all-encompassing positions than the viewers realized that Canada is essentially a centrist state. While much has been made of the differences between the Conservative and the Liberal parties, past governments they formed behaved generally the same way. The `cut and slash' Conservatives would also `tax and spend' like the Liberals do, and vice and versa. They are different enough to keep each other in check. Yet, they are also similar enough to cooperate on major issues of national interests, unlike their American counterparts where partisan bickering makes government shutdowns almost an annual ritual. Far from a defect, our pedestrian politics is a reflection of us. Canadians in general are more pragmatic than ideological. The true North, choosing facts over fiction, unlike our Southern neighbours mired in fake news and paranoia. Our stereotypical caricature is a beaver in a maple leaf ball cap — no stars, banners, or an elephant and donkey act that is American politics. It was an election no one wanted, probably even Trudeau himself. Nevertheless, another peaceful election is a win for Canadians and our functional system.

SIMON WONG Yes, we can stand by our peaceful transition of government.