Good government in the 21st century is much less about sterile debates over levels of expenditure and much more about providing ethical leadership and establishing national priorities.
Every day we meet Canadians who are embarrassed by the hyper-partisanship and mediocrity of our national politics. Our leaders rarely discuss common goals and aspirations that transcend our provincial and territorial identities.
At the same time as we rebuild the capacity of the public service and our elected representatives to better serve the national interest, certain policy areas will require some institutional distance from politicians.
With the federal election now finally underway, Canadians must demand civil, constructive political discourse on how to meet the serious challenges that lie on the horizon.
The time is long overdue to establish, at the national level, the services and medical treatments that should be available to all Canadians under Medicare.