We Need More Politicians Like Michael Chong
September 17, 2010 | 1 Comment
Prime Minister Michael Chong.
That has a nice ring to it.
Let me be clear, though: Michael Chong is not yet ready to be Prime Minister. But perhaps within the next decade, if he continues to serve Canada as well as he has served our country over the past decade, Chong would make an outstanding Prime Minister.
Let me give you three reasons why.
First, Chong’s passion is and has always been Canada. He was a co-founder of the Dominion Institute, a not-for-profit organization whose purpose was to help Canadians learn about our history and our public institutions. In short, its purpose was to reconnect Canadians with our country and ourselves. The Institute lives on today here.
Second, Chong stands on principle–even when it comes at a personal cost. Case in point, turn back the clock to 2006. Politicos will remember that Chong resigned from Cabinet in opposition to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s parliamentary resolution recognizing the people of Quebec as “a nation united within Canada.” When asked to explain his decision to leave behind his prestigious position as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Chong replied:
The reason why I got involved in politics is my belief in this nation we call Canada. I believe in this great country of ours and I believe in one nation, undivided… . This is a fundamental principle for me, not something on which I can or will compromise. Not now, not ever.
Whether or not you agree with Chong on this point, you have to respect the strength of his convictions and his willingness to put principle above politics.
Third, Chong believes deeply in improving our public institutions. Long before people spoke of the “democratic deficit,” Chong was brainstorming ideas for bringing citizens into the political process and for instilling a greater sense of civility in Ottawa. This week, everyone has been talking about reforming Question Period. But this is nothing new to Chong. He has been talking about it for months, if not longer.
All of which suggests to me that Chong stands for much of what appears to be lacking in many of our national politicians.
I don’t know whether Chong can assemble the organization and raise the necessary funds to win the leadership of the Conservative Party, whether Conservative Party members would choose him as their leader, or even whether Chong wants to one day run for the leadership of his Party.
But I do know that Canada needs more politicians like Michael Chong.
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December 6th, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
[...] The prime minister needs to find room for Michael Chong. He is just too good to be left out of the [...]