Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jan 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Anthony Furey
Page: 15

THREE 'PROGRESSIVE' POSITIONS TORIES CAN ADOPT

A lot of Conservatives are wondering exactly what their party will
look like in a couple of years. What values will it place front and
centre? Which policies will it continue to hold dear and which will it
jettison? Will it try to move more to the left in response to Justin
Trudeau's majority win?

It's that last one that has some party members I've spoken with, both
in the caucus and the grassroots, a little worried.

In May, they'll have the opportunity to hash these issues out at their
annual convention. It'll be one of the most intellectually liberated
in years, because not only is there no Prime Minister's Office to tell
them what to think, but there will be prospective leadership
candidates milling about with their different visions for the party.

Don't expect them to bid farewell to some of the most robust and true
blue elements of their constitution's guiding principles.

This is staying: "A belief that a responsible government must be
fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities which
cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others."

As is this: "A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to
provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while
recognizing that government must respond to those who require
assistance and compassion."

There's little chance they're going to abandon free markets, limited
government and the like. These ideas are the core of the true
conservative identity. Besides, these are the issues they can win
again on. If they articulate them properly and positively, that is.

No, don't toss out these views. They're not broken. But there are
views held by the party that are broken. And the Tories can change
them in a way that will appeal to progressives across Canada while
still keeping true to genuine conservative principles.

The first is marijuana policy. In October, the voters elected a party
that said in its platform: "We will legalize, regulate, and restrict
access to marijuana." Polls have consistently shown that a majority of
Canadians support loosening marijuana laws to one degree or another.

The Conservatives were slowly heading in this direction - they were
considering letting police issue fines rather than criminal charges
for possession. But their fear-mongering about how Trudeau wanted to
get their kids stoned obscured that sensible policy.

As the Liberals move forward with their pot promises, which will be
spearheaded by former Toronto police chief and new MP Bill Blair, the
opposition has to be careful how it handles this file. Conservatives
should smartly criticize weaknesses in the legislation, but if they
come out entirely anti-pot they'll just look like yesterday's party.

The second issue the Tories should pivot on is assisted suicide. Last
February, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the Criminal Code's
ban on assisted suicide. It gave the government 12 months to amend the
law, but it seems the Liberals will ask for a six-month extension.

The ability to make your own life choices, even the most tragic of
ones, should be a hallmark of small government philosophy and a
no-brainer for the Tories. One of their own caucus members, Steven
Fletcher, even introduced a private member's bill on this issue that
included important qualifiers like how the person must be over 18 and
of sound mind.

In fairness, this is an issue party members are divided on. The former
government did convene a panel on the issue, but only after the
Supreme Court ruling. Instead of being reactive, they could have been
more proactive.

Lastly, they need to bid farewell to corporate handouts. In a recent
column I wrote that Conservatives can show true leadership in opposing
the $1.3 billion Bombardier is asking for. Possible leadership
contender Maxime Bernier is already strongly against it. But the
Stephen Harper years were plagued with too much pork barrel spending.
The only people who benefit are the direct recipients. Everyone else -
the regular Joes paying the taxes to finance the handouts - is left
outside, looking in. Picking winners and losers in business just isn't
the conservative way.

These are just a few of the ways Conservatives can appear more
"progressive" to appeal to outsiders while still remaining true to
their core beliefs. If they want to embrace the future, they need to
update their playbook on issues like these soon.
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MAP posted-by: Matt