When British Columbia voters wake up on Wednesday, it is unlikely that their new governing party could become a real threat to democracy and fundamental human rights.
Although political parties contesting Tuesday’s election have different political platforms and policies, in the final analysis they do not represent a threat to a free society or the existence of a free press. The result won’t alter dramatically the way society functions.
In fact, Canadians are so complacent about elections that normal life is expected to continue much the same as it always has, which is why significant numbers of people don’t even bother to vote during elections.
Amongst those voting, some say political parties stay in power too long, become jaded and lack fresh new ideas, so political change would better serve society’s collective interests, as many in Alberta believed when they made a historic shift to the New Democratic Party in that province’s last provincial election.
But, as many Americans discovered, sometimes the wish to bring about truly significant changes can have serious, even destabilizing, consequences few anticipated.
At the centre of that unexpected reality is U.S. President Donald Trump, an unpredictable leader whose provocative actions have exposed deep and dangerous divisions within American society.
However, the consequences of the festering divisions and turmoil in the U.S. are not limited solely to American society.
As other countries, particularly Mexico and Canada, have learned since Trump assumed power, his unpredictable demagogic policies are creating fallout and tension for the U.S.’s immediate neighbours, with Trump making threats to undermine the important trilateral trade and economic relations among the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Despite initial assurances from Trump that he expected only minor trade adjustments with Canada, he abruptly denounced Canadian trade policies, particularly Canadian exports of softwood lumber and restrictions on imports of dairy products.
While Trump’s threats against NAFTA are important, there’s growing unease among many Americans and others that Trump might also be a dangerous authoritarian whose actions are a threat to democracy and human rights in the U.S.
His unprecedented criticism of American judges for blocking his controversial travel ban against Middle East citizens and his continued denunciation of the American media for allegedly conveying “fake news” shock many Americans, as have his accusations undermining the credibility of American intelligence agencies.
Some of his opinions on foreign policy cause concern, especially his inclination to view the actions of authoritarian leaders favourably.
In recent days, Trump sent a congratulatory message to Turkey’s authoritarian President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on that leader’s dubious success in eliminating the traditional position of his nation’s prime minister in order to strengthen his own power after firing or arresting thousands of Turkey’s judges, civil servants, teachers, soldiers, journalists and others. Erdogan also secretly aided ISIS in the past.
Trump also has invited to Washington the controversial Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte who instigated the killings of anyone dealing in drugs. (Duterte publicly called former president Barack Obama’s mother a whore.)
And now, in a bizarre move, Trump has stated he would be “honoured” to meet with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean dictator who recently ordered the assassination of his own half-brother, whom he considered a threat to his rule.
Considering Trump’s openness to dealing with such dubious leaders, it’s not surprising that many Americans are taking to the streets to oppose his perceived threat to the American democratic system.
Some say that what they see as Trump’s assault on their country’s democratic system can no longer be ignored and must be directly challenged while there’s still time to do so.
One prominent American academic, Timothy Snyder of Yale University, has stated that unless the American people effectively challenge the threat posed by Trump, he will likely attempt to seize sole power before the next election.
While many dismiss such a prediction, it nevertheless should reinforce for Canadians the critical importance of defending and supporting free and open elections in this country.
Harry Sterling, a former diplomat, is an Ottawa-based commentator.
