Emily Rowan
Canada’s political landscape has long been a battlefield between the Liberals and the Conservatives, each staking their claim on opposite ends of the political spectrum. But what if there was a party that wasn’t too hot or too cold, but just right?
Enter The Canadian Future Party, a new political player with a centrist view, positioning itself as the reasonable alternative to the ideological tug-of-war Canadians have become all too familiar with.
As the party prepares candidates in the September 2024 by-elections—in both Quebec and Manitoba—it’s hard not to wonder: is this new party the political porridge Canadians have been waiting for?
A centrist response to growing polarization
Recent polling shows the Conservatives leading the Liberals by 20 percentage points – a current margin that suggests Canadians are looking for change, or at least something different. The Canadian Future Party’s centrist stance is a calculated response to the current political climate and the deepening divide between Trudeau’s Liberals and Poilievre’s Conservatives.
On one side, the Liberals under Prime Minister Trudeau have embraced a “progressive social” stance on most issues since their election in 2015. Yet, Trudeau has been navigating through years of obstacles—from the pandemic, growing frustrations on defence spending, and economic turbulence. While his focus on social progressivism has kept a significant portion of the electorate on his side, polling signals a growing weariness around issues like inflation, housing affordability, and a general disconnect from everyday Canadians feeling the pinch.
The cloud of overpromising and underdelivering has overshadowed the “sunny ways” rhetoric of the past.
On the other side is Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives with a message of fiscal conservatism and a promise to cut through government overreach. His direct style has resonated with those frustrated by the status quo. And he has successfully tapped into a widespread need for change in the Canadian electorate. Not to mention showing impressive messaging discipline since becoming leader. Yet not all moderate voters will embrace the more combative tone that has become synonymous with the party in recent years.
The argument for voting NDP, Green or Bloc may also be less appealing moving into 2025. The aforementioned parties have not moved the political needle since the 2021 federal election. Nor do polls show any real momentum for any of the Leaders.
The Canadian Future Party—registered by Elections Canada earlier this month—seeks to bridge this growing divide, offering an interim policy framework that blends fiscal responsibility with social progressiveness. Self-proclaimed as the party for the “politically homeless”—the party’s policies seek to strike a balance that feels just right for Canadians.
The party’s approach bears a striking resemblance to Emmanuel Macron’s centrist strategy in France. Much like Macron’s meteoric rise, the Canadian Future Party is positioning itself as a disruptor in a political arena dominated by two long-standing giants. Macron capitalized on the frustration of French voters who were tired of the same old left-right battles, offering instead a centrist platform that promised pragmatic solutions and a fresh perspective.
The centrist approach of the Canadian Future Party is less about taking the middle road for the sake of it and more about addressing the real frustrations of Canadians who feel alienated. The party is focused on refining government operations by addressing monopolies, increasing Canada’s defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP, and addressing the housing and affordability crisis by leveraging partnerships between public and private sectors.
Just as Macron’s rise caught the French political establishment off guard, the Canadian Future Party could upend Canadian politics if it can successfully channel voter dissatisfaction into a broad centrist coalition—messaging as not just the lesser of two evils, but the better path forward.
At the helm of the Canadian Future Party is interim leader, Dominic Cardy, an Independent New Brunswick MLA who’s running for leadership during the party’s convention in November. His political journey is as eclectic as it is intriguing, having dabbled in both the New Brunswick NDP, as leader from 2011 to 2017, to the Progressive Conservatives as cabinet minister of education and early childhood development from 2018-2022.
It’s clear that he’s walked his own path to find something just right—a path that now lands him in the middle of the federal political spectrum.
Macron’s experience serves as a cautionary tale. After initially capturing the political centre and riding a wave of support to the presidency, he eventually lost parliamentary majority. This was, in part, because the centrist position, while appealing, often lacks the passionate, dedicated base that more ideologically driven parties enjoy.
The Canadian Future Party could face similar hurdles.
Without a strong, loyal core of supporters, they might find it difficult to maintain momentum. Being in the centre means constantly balancing competing interests, which can lead to accusations of being too wishy-washy or not taking a strong enough stance on critical policy issues.
Potential impact on the 2025 federal election
The upcoming by-elections could be the Canadian Future Party’s golden opportunity. If their candidates manage to make a strong showing or even snag a seat or two, it could signal that their centrist message is resonating with voters beyond the disillusioned and undecided. It would also force the Liberals and Conservatives to rethink their strategies heading into an election year.
Even a limited presence by the new party in Parliament in 2025—which could be the stretch goal early on for the party—would mean that neither Liberals nor Conservatives could take the centre for granted anymore. This is something the Liberals know all too well with the recent loss of Toronto—St. Paul's. If the new party builds on any momentum gained in the upcoming by-elections, the Canadian Future Party could disrupt the usual political calculus, appealing to voters who are tired of the same old choices. The party’s fortunes could very well hinge on how well they handle the heat of these early tests.
Is there appetite for new options on the ballot?
The question remains: do Canadians have the stomach for a new political entrée? The Canadian Future Party is betting that voters are tired of the predictable flavours and are ready to try something that promises a bit more zest without the heartburn of radical change. But let’s be honest—Canadians are notoriously cautious eaters when it comes to politics. They might be tempted by the promise of a fresh start, but they’re also weary of getting burned by an undercooked idea. It remains to be seen if this party can serve up something that satisfies without leaving voters with a sour taste.
Final thoughts
With the by-elections just around the corner, all eyes—especially those in Ottawa—will be glued to the results, as the political establishment gauges the Canadian Future Party’s real-world impact. Much like Goldilocks, Canadian voters are now exploring their options for a perfect fit. The Canadian Future Party might just find itself sitting at the table—assuming they don’t find the heat of national scrutiny too hot to handle.
NATIONAL will provide real-time updates and insights to our clients on any developments that could impact the political landscape leading to an election year. NATIONAL’s team of experts can help you to navigate through upcoming changes and political developments.
——— Emily Rowan is a former Director, Public Affairs at NATIONAL Public Relations
