Do you know who received the most votes in Canada’s 2021 election? Nope, not Justin Trudeau. Of course, we don’t vote directly for the prime minister and, as such, winning the popular vote in a national election doesn’t always equate to actually winning the actual election. For this reason, Erin O’Toole isn’t our former prime minister, but rather the former leader of the federal Conservative Party and former leader of the Official Opposition. He’s also a business leader, lawyer and former military officer who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In other words, he is a man of service who, regardless of partisan affiliation, we must agree has long worked to better our nation. And seeing as our nation is at a crossroads, there are few people better equipped to help us understand this moment we’re facing than Erin O’Toole.
What do you think?
- What did you take from our conversation with the former leader of the Official Opposition?
- Why do you think it’s important for political leaders to listen to diverse perspectives?
- What role do you think politicians have in addressing environmental challenges?
- What qualities do you think make a good political leader today?
- Why is it important for Canada to participate in international agreements and organizations while maintaining its sovereignty?
- Why do you think it’s important for citizens, especially young people, to understand sovereignty and the military?
- Do we need to consider running for office, or is it fair to say that politics – and party politics specifically – isn’t for everyone?
- How can Canadians balance national security with respecting human rights and Indigenous sovereignty?
- Do you better understand the value of the military, especially in times like these? What about public service?
- Do you agree with Erin’s take on the challenges we face?
- Do you agree with his vision for where we go next?
- Is compromise the reason for the divides we see in our society or is balance the key to good decision making?