MARTY CHAN, PLAYWRIGHT
Mr. Harper, the Canadian government is like a rental property. Voters have kindly leased the place to you and your family, but I should tell you that not everyone was on board with the decision. Our French cousins didn’t think your references checked out and some of our younger family members wanted the cool guy with the moustache to move in. A few of us were worried that you were going to install a dirty fireplace that would stink up the living room and that you didn’t care about the impact on the surrounding environment
In the end, we decided we were strapped for cash and the majority thought you’d make a reliable tenant who could help pay the bills. While we understand there will be some wear and tear on the country, it’s only fair that you ask for our permission before you do any renovations, and we certainly don’t expect you to make any major structural changes.
Think what you want of some of our design choices like public health care, but don’t assume you can change anything you want just because you’ve signed the lease agreement. We still have to live here after you move out, so we’d appreciate it if you left Canada in its original condition.
Finally, if you have any bratty MPs who punch holes in the walls or set fire to the country, you’re responsible for the damages.
NAHEED NENSHI, RECENTLY ELECTED MAYOR OF CALGARY
I’m proud that Prime Minister Harper calls Calgary home. His understanding of cities will be very important for the future of this country. With 80 per cent of Canadians living in cities, the success of our country is dependent on ensuring that much is done to ensure cities are magnets for talent and engines of development.
Canadians will be looking to their new federal government to protect core investments in their municipalities and (to) build communities that have the resources to drive our economy and protect our quality of life.
We expect that the new Parliament will make our cities priorities and take measures to meet the growing challenges we face. Canadian cities face an infrastructure deficit in the billions of dollars, and Canada remains the only industrialized country without a national transit strategy. These issues must be addressed. The majority government exists, in part, because of significant electoral wins in our cities. We can’t forget them now that the election is over.
JAMIE BIGGAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LEADNOW.CA, INDEPENDENT ADVOCACY GROUP HELPING CANADIANS PARTICIPATE IN THEIR DEMOCRACY
Our advice for Prime Minister Harper is to seize this opportunity to listen. There is a disconnect between the Conservative party’s priorities, and the priorities of a majority of voters and many of Canada’s youth. Harper can demonstrate true leadership by reaching out to Canadians who did not vote for him, listening to their voices and finding a path for our country that pulls us together instead of pushing us a part. Before the election began, our organization brought generations of Canadians together, from across the country, to share their hopes and ideas for Canada. Through face-to-face conversations and online processes we heard deep concern about the state of our democracy, the destruction of our environment, and the growing inequality within our society.
