Prime Minister Stephen Harper finally has the majority he has sought for so long. It is a small majority, but it is difficult to argue that how much you win by is more important than the fundamental fact that you won. Harper's four-year mandate is just one of a multitude of storylines from Monday's election that showed Canadians were ready not just to express themselves — they were ready to roar.
How else does one explain the turbulent events of Canada's 41st election other than the electors of this country voting not just for change, but for a total realignment of the country's political landscape? Yes, the Conservatives won their majority, but in the process lost two cabinet ministers and any hope of making inroads into Quebec. The “orange surge” of the NDP turned out to be as powerful as polling numbers suggested but made a Conservative majority possible thanks to vote-splitting among the left of centre. The Liberal party demonstrated just how tired and stagnant the country's “Natural Governing Party” has become, reduced to a historic handful of seats and forcing Michael Ignatieff to resign. More compelling nationally was the total disintegration of the Bloc Quebecois, now leaderless as Gilles Duceppe was trounced by the NDP. And by focusing on winning just one seat, the Green Party and leader Elizabeth May finally have a meaningful presence in the House of Commons.
But change this significant, this fundamental, is indicative of an engaged population that let its leaders know exactly how it felt about the current state of affairs. Like an employer handing out a probationary contract, Canadians have given Harper a small majority and permission to do the best he can for the next four years. They have cast off the position of the solid centre, vesting their interests in either the right in the Conservatives or left in the NDP. They embraced Harper's message centred on the economy, shrugged off the growing list of missteps that took place during his tenure as minority prime minister and handed him the keys to implement his vision for Canada. Only time will tell if he uses it responsibly.
It is easy for those who don't agree with the results to question the political judgment and acumen of others based on the fact so many feel they didn't get the result they wanted or felt we deserved. They can resurrect the traditional post-election debates of whether or not Canada's first-past-the-post system works because simple addition is easier than accepting defeat. In the end, every person who cast a ballot is responsible for the result and lamenting what is for what could have been is little more than a waste of time.
Casting a ballot is easy. The days in between are the most difficult, especially if the outcome was not what you wanted. How many will continue to debate and discuss what Canada should and shouldn't be over the next four years without the constant threat of an election looming over every single move? How many electors will be as engaged in politics as they have been since we entered the era of minority governments? Without the same compelling drama, will Canadians be so willing to watch over their members of Parliament?
Casting aspersions and clever Twitter hashtags at one another is little more than wounded pride trying to find a comfortable place to rest. Harper has won his majority and it will be interesting to see what he does with it over the next four years. It might be a triumph, it could be a disaster, but there is little doubt Monday's results stem from the passion of the Canadian spirit. Regardless of which party won, it is the voters that can claim victory.
