The Liberals have another minority government. Here’s how the social impact sector is reacting.

Author Brennan Doherty
While some social impact leaders are praising Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his election win, others are urging his new government to buckle down on a variety of major issues.

Why It Matters

With the election over — and the fourth wave of COVID-19 washing over the country — the Liberals will need to work with the social impact sector to stabilize rising case counts, take drastic action on the climate crisis, and establish a national childcare plan.

Meet the new Liberal government, same as the old Liberal government — with a handful of new seats in the House of Commons.

Sept. 20’s federal election ended with a largely unchanged electoral map in what was always expected to be a tight race between the Liberals and Conservatives. Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau will continue on as Canada’s Prime Minister amid a fourth wave of COVID-19, rising worries about housing affordability, the climate crisis, opioid crisis, and a pending green economic transition.

Here’s what Canada’s social impact sector has to say about Canada’s 45th Parliament:

 
Congratulations are in order

Unsurprisingly, social impact leaders at a variety of Canadian organizations congratulated the incoming Liberal government on their minority victory in the polls on Monday night. Among them was Carole Saab, CEO of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, an organization that represents the interests of villages, towns, and cities across the country:

 

So, too, was the Federation for Black Communities, who noted the number of Black candidates who won their seats on Election Day:

 

And Tim Gray, executive director of Environmental Defense, congratulated voters themselves on casting their ballots for parties with strong and ambitious climate visions. “There are now environmental champions in every party — it should be easier to take bold action on climate change and environmental protection,” Gray said in a statement.

 

 

A waste of money

But the Liberals are taking heat from some sector leaders (and other Canadians) for launching an election during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elections Canada’s estimated $610 million bill could have gone to solving other pressing issues, as Jocelyn Formsma, executive director of the National Association of Friendship Centres, tweeted:

 

As the dust settles

Ballots were still being counted on Sept. 21, the morning after the election, and the fate of a handful of ridings across Canada were still too close to call. It also remains to be seen what Trudeau’s Cabinet will look like, especially after former Women and Gender Equality Minister Maryam Monsef was defeated.

 

Farrah Khan, manager at Consent Comes First, also tweeted about Monsef’s election loss:

 

 

 

More to be done

With the Liberals returning to government, social impact sector professionals, advocates, and Indigenous leaders are calling on the party to return to the table on a series of major reforms promised just before the election. These include a national affordable childcare plan:

 

Not to mention addressing the climate emergency and environmental justice for all Canadians:

 

Concrete commitments to reconciliation, healing, climate conservation, and economic prosperity in partnership with First Nations:

 

And redoubled efforts to protect human rights, fight COVID-19, and tackle climate change as part of Canada’s international obligations:

 

In the coming days and weeks, Trudeau will be responsible for establishing a Cabinet, sending out mandate letters to ministers outlining their priorities, and resume business as usual for the Liberal agenda. While it isn’t yet clear if the new government will meet with social impact leaders about their proposals for the future, the sector appears eager and willing to take on Canada’s biggest challenges.  

 

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