Canadians also resolutely rejected Maxime Bernier’s brand of toxic racism and far-right policies. His People’s Party of Canada (PPC) spiraled into a frenzy of white identity politics that stands behind assimilation to enrich Canadian society, rejects the science of climate change and disposes of subsidies for green technology. Despite running a full slate of candidates, the PPC was ejected from the decision-making table after just a year in power.

Another complication is the resurgence of the controversial separatist movement in Quebec. Led by Yves-François Blanchet, Bloc Québécois gained ground in the House with a 22-seat increase by shifting its focus from secession to progressive environmental measures. The right-leaning party sent ripples through the multicultural nation earlier this year by banning civil servants from wearing religious symbols.
 
Weaving compromise across the great divide

Canada might look like a divided country after the election, but Trudeau passionately champions many of the same issues that voters, across party lines, made clear they care about.

The middle is a contentious place to sit though. It is impossible to please everyone, and the irritated voices are growing louder. His mission becomes significantly harder with the backing of a minority government. Since the Liberals now occupy less than half the seats in Parliament, to get his signature policies pushed through, Trudeau will only be able to rally support from other party leaders by compromising on their demands. The natural ally is Jagmeet Singh, the enigmatic leader of the NDP, who shares overlapping concerns. The NDP may be down in voting power, but the party can leverage its 24 votes to pull Trudeau left of centre on its key issues. The NDP is refusing to budge on getting real commitments on government-run pharmacare, and taking concrete steps to tackle the climate crisis.

Although Trudeau asserted in 2013 that he is “completely closed to any sort of cooperation with the NDP,” he now recognises that it’s “a time where we see some very different perspectives across the country that need to be brought together.” Moving forward, Trudeau has promised to concentrate on “making life more affordable” with middle-class tax cuts and housing solutions. A national pharmacare programme, net-zero carbon emissions and gun safety are also at the top of his priority list.

Trudeau will get blowback as he tries to balance natural resource development with environmental protection. The stickiest standoff centres around the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) pipeline project to extend the existing oil line from Alberta to Vancouver. The government’s $3.4 billion purchase from Kinder Morgan has become a divisive issue on all sides, yet it is a decision that Trudeau staunchly supports. He not only reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the controversial choice but also supports four more pipeline projects in the western energy-producing provinces.

The NDP and Bloc have vowed to oppose any oil pipeline development. The move has also enraged environmentalists and damaged relationships with the indigenous communities he vowed to protect. Conservatives, who fiercely oppose Trudeau’s climate change policies as a major threat to the energy industry, have accused him of buying the pipeline to kill it. The more likely scenario is that he will dangle the project as a carrot for stronger commitments on his environmental strategies. With constituents who desperately need the economic boost, the Conservatives may have to settle for a more centrist compromise on the national carbon tax.

With his November cabinet appointments, Trudeau proved he is ready to throw serious effort into unifying the country. One of his most trusted cabinet members, Chrystia Freeland, will shift focus from running point on international affairs to managing intergovernmental relations. Trudeau sees her diplomatic negotiation skills as his biggest asset in addressing the rising domestic rumblings. Freeland told reporters that she is listening to the message that the West sent during the election.

Trudeau has also spent time meeting directly with party leaders and premiers in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, P.E.I. and Ontario in an attempt to find common ground. The tone of the outreach meetings has been described as conciliatory with everyone vowing to concentrate on “respectfully and collaboratively” developing shared priorities in areas where they agree, such as job creation, infrastructure and healthcare. Ontario Premier Doug Ford linked the deepening regional divisions to the economy, noting that without certainty in national unity, businesses will choose to invest in other areas.

While true unity may not be possible, finding common ground is essential to stemming the growing divide. Success will be determined by which points each party is willing to concede in the upcoming negotiations.