Yesterday, I happen to visit a strip mall in a nearby city, somewhat older plaza with a moderate sized discount store selling everything from clothing to garden ornaments to groceries at discount prices and close expiry dates to canned food, snacks sweets and toys. You name it, they sold it, at deep discount prices. This was supported by smaller businesses with a gas station across the street and a coffeeshop on the corner. A typical Canadian urban family neighbourhood. But what stood out were the many pot-holes in the parking lot. Seemed like they had been unattended to for years and if repairs had been attempted, only sand was used which quickly washed out and the holes just got bigger. You needed to drive slow and scout up ahead to make sure how many you could miss, steering left and then right. You were lucky not to loose a wheel. Where was the management?
Well, it reminded me of the present electoral scenery in Canada.
Present party management of the country for months already were on a downward popularity trend and then it suddenly imploded and exploded. Parliament was shut down, the manager also stood down and the left-overs rallied around, selected themselves the new management candidates and pushed in to lead. However, a new party political non-tried newcomer came on the scene and the election was called.
So in my mind the following scenario took shape.
Here we had a once spanking new plaza – remember the enthusiasm of 1967? – O Canada! – when it was modern and new, years ago in a beautiful affordable spanking new neighbourhood? That was then. But now we have all these management issues, holes everywhere, so we need to make important decisions. The supportive opposition is standing by on the sidewalk facing the plaza, hands in pockets and shouting: ‘it is broken and needs fixing; the management is finished; they have run out of ideas; Canada, bring it home!’ Some other players are in the parking lot telling the customers that we just need little adjustments with great hand-outs here and there, that will get it done. The former management now under new leadership is telling us: it is time for radical make-overs, new parking lot surfacing and some major excavations and reshaping of the whole lot and plaza facilities. Serious stuff, tough and scary.
In the meantime we hear the sound of a parade coming down the street with a large grand marshal leading the troupes, shouting as they come, amid the sounds of drums, trumpets and pipes. Someone in the middle is beating a large drum and there are new shiny electric cars and trucks, followed by construction and demolition equipment, bulldozers and dump trucks. See how the tow trucks bring up the rear. Should we block the road or keep our fingers crossed that they will turn left before they reach us?
Look, the plaza is filling up with cars all sporting a Canadian red maple-leaf flag, bringing whole families into the area, all are looking up into the sky wondering what tomorrow will bring.
Soon it will be voting time in Canada. Will you be there?
Lets make it count, get out and vote! Decision day APRIL 28!
God bless Canada!
JS April 16, 2025
Featured image: AI generated from blog contents
Note: Election results as of May 2, 2025 out of 343 Seats: Liberals 169 Popular 43.8%; Conservatives 143 Popular 41.3%; Bloc Quebecois 23 Popular 6.3%; NDP 7 Popular 6.3%; Green 1 Popular 1.2%; People Party Canada Popular 0.7%; Others 0.7%
On the Road 