A Very Canadian Result

If anyone lost it was oddly enough Dalton McGuinty.  He lost 18 seats to his opposition; 11 to the P.C.'s, and 7 to the N.D.P.  He ended up one torturous seat short of a majority government.  What makes it a Canadian result is the fact Andrea Horwath- the third place party ended up the most powerful, squarely in the position of being the balance of power.

This means the Liberals don't make a move now without either the P.C.'s or the N.D.P. on side with them.  I hope everyone sees the wisdom in this.  The fact is McGuinty needed a slap on the wrist- and the electorate gave it to him.  After having near total power for 8 years the knowledge you have to work with your opponents might be more humbling than a loss. With the lower voter turnout it could be said we voted en masse with our feet.

The results are by no means a ringing endorsement for McGuinty.  If anything they're a passive aggressive way of saying we want a change, but the choices we have before us aren't that great.  So we'll stick with the guy we had before.  It's as if we've put him on notice- we're wising up to your tricks, and your lies.  We're putting him in a two-year penalty box, if he minds his manners we may let him back on the ice.
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The opposition as well has a tough road ahead of them.  How they oppose will say a lot for the government's stability.  They have to act as a government-in-waiting, and offer alternatives, instead of just going against the McGuinty government for the sake of opposing them.  Hudak, and Horwath each have to act as future Premier. 

The new government could mean a lot for Milton.  Right before the writ dropped, it was announced the Liberals would fund the expansion for Milton Hospital.  A minority government could mean the Liberals actually keep that promise.  The man tasked with making sure that happens is Ted Chudleigh- returned by the voters in Halton for another term.  It could also make Milton Education Village a reality a lot sooner than anyone can hope for.

I don't know how long this will last- but the average life of a minority parliament is 18 months.  It's not starting off well-  N.D.P. leader Horwath has requested a meeting with McGuinty and Hudak- McGuinty has said no. If McGuinty acts the tiniest bit humble there's nothing to say this can't last four years.   However long it lasts, it should be entertaining.