Commentary
Public support for the Liberal Party of Canada has sharply declined for over a year. The party desperately needs to change the channel as Canada enters an anticipated election year. Parties have three options in front of them when they have become stale in the eyes of the voters and have lost public support: they can stay the course and pray a dramatic event changes the electoral landscape, they can change the leader and hope a fresh face can turn things around, or they can keep the leader but take a strong policy pivot.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has made it clear he intends to lead the Liberals into the next election and appears to have quelled a budding caucus rebellion for now. It’s doubtful he calmed caucus concerns by saying he would stick to the same policies and tactics that have led to the current dearth of electoral support. To buy peace within his caucus, he surely proposed a plan to change tactics and win back the support of Canadians. That means some sharp and decisive policy shifts must be on the way….