2024 Review- The Dramatic Year in Canadian Politics

The past year has been one of the most dramatic and politically charged in Canada’s recent history. From shifting alliances and surprise elections to leadership changes and legislative triumphs, the nation’s political landscape has undergone a profound transformation. Let’s take a closer look at the key events that defined this year in Canadian politics.

The End of the 59th Parliament

The year started with the 59th Parliament dissolved, which was led by Liberal Prime Minister PolyKeith. His government faced stiff opposition at the end of the term from XavierHewitt’s Conservative Party, which sought to capitalize on political fatigue and growing discontent of the Liberal brand. Which then became the January 6th election, the Liberals emerged as the largest party in the House of Commons with 9 seats, gaining 3. The Conservatives secured 6 seats, while the Christian Heritage Party (CHP) held 5.

The election results created a highly fragmented Parliament, leading to a coalition government between the Conservatives and the CHP. Together, they managed to form a slim majority with 11 seats, pushing PolyKeith’s Liberals into opposition. XavierHewitt, who took the reins as Prime Minister, promised to usher in stability and progress.

However, cracks in the coalition began to emerge almost immediately. The government faced mounting pressure from an energized Liberal opposition and struggled to pass key legislation. The Conservatives’ reliance on the CHP proved to be a liability, as disagreements between the two parties hampered their ability to govern effectively.

The Snap Election and XavierHewitt’s Fall from Grace

After just 27 days in office, the Conservative-CHP coalition collapsed under the weight of its own dysfunction. Faced with a looming vote of no confidence, Prime Minister XavierHewitt dissolved Parliament and called for a snap election. This bold gamble, intended to secure a clearer mandate, would ultimately backfire.

The election brought modest gains for the Conservatives, who increased their seat count to 9. However, the Liberals also gained a seat, bringing them to 10, while the CHP suffered a dramatic collapse, losing 4 seats and holding just 1. Former Prime Minister TulsiMontagu, running as an Independent, retained her seat and played a pivotal role in the aftermath.

Despite the Conservatives’ improved standing, the results fell far short of a majority. Hewitt’s failure to deliver on his promises and his inability to unite the party behind a coherent strategy led to his swift ousting as leader. Critics within the party slammed his leadership as uninspired and ineffective, blaming him for the coalition’s collapse and the disappointing election results. NathanInslee was elected as the new leader, tasked with rebuilding the party’s fractured reputation.

Coalitions, Controversies, and the Rise of NathanInslee

Under NathanInslee’s leadership, the Conservatives struck a coalition deal with TulsiMontagu, who became Minister of Foreign Affairs. With 10 seats for the Conservatives and Montagu’s Independent seat tipping the scales, the coalition claimed the right to govern. However, the Liberal Party, led by PolyKeith, was not ready to concede.

In a bid to regain power, PolyKeith proposed merging the CHP with the Liberals, which would have granted them a majority. This proposal was blocked by Governor General MatthewAinsley and Chief Electoral Officer B_arontek, sparking accusations of bias and political interference. PolyKeith fiercely criticized Elections Canada, alleging that personal grudges and elitist decision-making had undermined democracy.

The controversy marked the beginning of PolyKeith’s decline as Liberal leader. After several failed attempts to navigate the political impasse, he stepped down, leaving the party in turmoil. His resignation ushered in a period of instability that saw declining parliamentary activity and repeated failures to achieve quorum.

The Fall of the Inslee Government

The Inslee government, hampered by inactivity and a lack of cohesion, ultimately collapsed after just a few months. Three consecutive House sessions were cancelled due to a lack of quorum, triggering a constitutional crisis. The Governor General dissolved Parliament and appointed an interim administration led by TulsiMontagu, who governed for 15 days. The PERSl4N Era: A Liberal Resurgence

The April general election marked a turning point in Canadian politics. PERSl4N, a seasoned Liberal strategist and former Deputy Prime Minister, took the helm of the party and delivered a decisive victory. Under his leadership, the Liberals secured a commanding supermajority, winning 16 seats and reshaping the political landscape.

PERSl4N’s administration was characterized by legislative efficiency, media reforms, and a focus on unity. His government passed sweeping bills on housing, media, and delivering stable governance, solidifying the Liberals’ reputation as the party of progress and stability.

The July election saw PERSl4N once again lead the Liberals to victory, albeit with a reduced majority of 13 seats. Despite the slight dip, his government maintained its momentum, further cementing his legacy. PERSl4N’s tenure of 163 days as Prime Minister set a record for consecutive leadership, surpassing all his predecessors in longevity.

PolyKeith’s Return and the Ainsley Fumble

After PERSl4N’s historic tenure, the Liberal Party once again turned to PolyKeith, who returned to lead the government. His renewed leadership brought hope of continuity, but his second stint lasted 55 days before he stepped aside, citing political fatigue, and caved the way for a new generation of politics.

JackAinsley then took over as Liberal leader and Prime Minister. However, his leadership was widely viewed as ineffective. Ainsley struggled to unify the party, brought political opposition to gain immensely, and failed to pass any significant legislation to give himself any sort of legacy. His brief tenure marked a period of growing discontent within the Liberal ranks and frustration among his caucus. Recognizing the party’s need for stronger leadership, Ainsley stepped down, paving the way for MarkMakenzie to assume the Liberal leadership.

MarkMakenzie’s New Era

MarkMakenzie now faces the daunting task of leading the Liberals through an upcoming election, just days away. His campaign centers on restoring the party’s image, drawing from the successes of PERSl4N and PolyKeith while offering a fresh vision for the future. Makenzie’s challenge is not just to maintain the Liberals’ dominance but to combat growing opposition momentum.

A Nation Prepares for Another Election

The upcoming election will test whether the Liberals can maintain their dominance or if the newly energized Conservatives or New Democratic Party (NDP) can stage a comeback. But now, we can see another situation like we did at the start of the year. With parliamentary instability, this can perhaps be the future that Canadians see with this upcoming election. Time will tell. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

PolyKeith - President of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation

CBC News - Niagara Falls, Ontario.