Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts

Why the Conservatives Lost the Election: A Story About Fear, Not Facts By Dale Jodoin In the latest Canadian election, many people were surprised that the Conservatives didn’t win. After all, they had clear points, strong leadership, and a plan to fix problems like the rising cost of living, high taxes, and broken services. But even with all that, they still lost. The real reason? Fear. Not of them—but of someone who isn’t even Canadian. Let’s go back a bit. When the President of the United States began placing tariffs on Canadian products, it shook the country. Suddenly, everyday things got more expensive, and the future of trade between Canada and the U.S. seemed unsure. This made people nervous. But instead of offering calm, clear leadership, the Liberals and NDP took a different route: they used fear. The Liberals and NDP ran their campaigns by tying everything to Donald Trump, the American president. They didn’t talk about Canada’s rising debt, long hospital wait times, or the housing crisis. Instead, they pointed their fingers at Trump and said, “Be careful, the Conservatives are just like him.” It didn’t matter that the Conservative leader had never worked with Trump or even agreed with him. The Liberal media—TV, radio, and newspapers mostly funded by the federal government—repeated the same line over and over. They called the Conservatives “Trump’s cousins,” warning that if Canadians voted Conservative, they would see the same style of leadership as in the U.S. This message worked. Not because it was true, but because people were afraid. They voted not for what they believed in, but for what they feared might happen. The truth is, the Conservatives had no way to fight back. When most major news stations are paid for by the government, it’s hard to get your message out. Every time the Conservatives tried to explain their ideas, they were either ignored or twisted into something negative. And anyone who spoke up in support of them was often shouted down or labeled as “dangerous.” So what did Canadians really vote for? They didn’t vote for the best plan or for the strongest leader. They didn’t vote for change or solutions. They voted out of fear. Fear that Donald Trump might have too much influence over Canada. Fear that standing up to the U.S. would bring more problems. And fear that a Conservative government might “look” too much like something they saw on American news. But this fear-based voting comes with a cost. Now Canada faces real issues: food prices are still high, housing is out of reach for many, and our debt keeps growing. Many rural hospitals and services are stretched thin, and young people are struggling to see a future here. Instead of addressing these problems, the current government has focused more on image than action. They brought in a leader who looks good on camera and says the right things—but many say he’s just a puppet. Some believe this leader was picked not for his ideas, but because he could be controlled. Others think he simply repeats what party bosses or friendly media tell him to say. Either way, it’s clear that the voices of regular Canadians weren’t heard. What happened to open debates? What happened to letting people decide for themselves without being told who to fear? In a democracy, people should be able to vote based on facts—not feelings forced on them by news stations or politicians. And yet, here we are. Canadians were told again and again to “stand against Trump.” But Trump isn’t running our country. What’s happening in Canada—like the rising cost of living and the slow breakdown of public services—is something our own government must take responsibility for. Blaming someone outside the country won’t fix that. What’s more troubling is that not one political leader stood up for baby boomers—many of whom have been blamed for everything from the housing crisis to climate change. These are the same people who built this country up, paid taxes for decades, and are now often struggling in retirement. But during the election, they were used as a scapegoat too. So what can be done? First, Canadians need to stop voting based on fear. We must learn to question the headlines, listen to more than one voice, and think about what’s best for our country—not what someone tells us to be scared of. Second, we need to demand fair media. When news companies are funded by the government, they have a responsibility to stay neutral. If they become cheerleaders for one side, democracy breaks down. Canadians deserve honest reporting, not stories meant to scare or silence. Third, it’s time to talk to each other again. Too many families and friends are divided over politics, with people afraid to speak their minds. But Canada was built on free speech and respect for different opinions. We need to bring that back. Finally, we must remember this: it’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to challenge what we’re told. And it’s okay to believe in something different. That’s what democracy is all about. The Conservatives may have lost this time, but their ideas deserve to be heard. And next time, hopefully Canadians will vote based on hope, not fear. Because if we keep letting fear choose our leaders, we may one day wake up in a country we no longer recognize.