Last night Justin Trudeau alongside his Liberals in red overthrew the Conservative government that had been in power for the better part of 10 years. Trudeau did not just get elected as Prime Minister, the Liberals as a whole overpowered the polls. How could this have happened? Did Canada really want change that much?
I do not think the votes had anything to do with Trudeau’s luscious hair (it is quite beautiful though), I don’t feel as if his father helped him win any votes either. I firmly believe that almost every vote can be linked to rock bottom expectations. Does anyone remember those “He’s just not ready” attack ads? I firmly believe that those attack ads in particular are one of the main reasons Trudeau was elected. Those ads lowered everyone’s expectations of Trudeau to such an extent that no matter what happened, he would impress.
So much money was funneled into making Trudeau look inexperienced that when he actually started campaigning, he made sure to build up his reputation as a misunderstood underdog. The average Canadians’ reaction to Trudeau was the equivalent of going into a math final with no preparation and expecting a failing mark; instead of failing your teaching hits you with a passing one. The majority of Canadians had no choice but to be mildly impressed.
Watching Trudeau gain support across Canada this election was fascinating because he was the ultimate underdog this election. He rose through the ranks of politics and took what was his and not because of his father, but because he wanted change.
No matter where my political beliefs lie, I respect a man who was willing to face all the attack ads, all the hate, and turn it into a positive.
As I mingled at the Liberal office in Lethbridge on election night I ended up speaking with Mike Pyne, the Lethbridge Liberal candidate. Pyne explained that his loss was still a win in is his eyes, because he chooses to see the big picture. Pyne enthusiastically discussed his hopes with Trudeau by explaining his main hope for Trudeau is a unified Canada.
“We are going to unite Canadians and that’s all that matters. I would have loved to have won, but that’s not what matters,” said Pyne.
No matter how much Liberal hate or “red pride” fills up your Facebook feed, there is one aspect of last night that everyone can agree on- the next four years are going are going to be interesting to say the least.
