Ottawa

The Saganash doctrine

Romeo Saganash explains how to beat the Conservatives.

We will start by returning to our roots in rural Canada. Rural communities are hollowing out and people are angry about it … When we were the CCF, rural Canadians knew we were on their side. We need to reach out to them again with respect, to listen to their concerns and to act on their behalf. When we do, they will come back to us and we will grow together.

And we must understand suburban Canada. Whether we are talking about new Canadians who moved from the cities or the proverbial soccer moms and hockey dads who grew up in those same towns, fundamentally, people want the same things. They want the freedom to live their lives as they see fit and they want security for their children and the future. The NDP can offer that. We can refrain from paternalism, respecting people’s ability to make their own decisions.