Kudos to Prime Minister Mark Carney for quickly calling an election.
Hopefully, that quells the outcry about Canada having an unelected prime minister, which at best was a sad lack of understanding of Canadian civics and at worst a deplorable political ploy to undermine democracy.
Had he tried to govern for any length of time, however, it would not have served the country well.
Carney missed an opportunity, though, by picking the west Ottawa riding of Nepean in which to run.
It must have been difficult not to select a safe Liberal riding somewhere in the East and Nepean certainly fits the bill.
But while perhaps less risky, the optics would have been better to stick to his Alberta roots and try to become an elected prime minister there.
What better way for an aspiring Liberal prime minister to make a bold, political statement than getting elected in Canada's most conservative province?
It would not have been out of the question, even though the Liberal brand is weak in Alberta. There are currently two Liberal MPs from Alberta and, after months in the political polling wilderness, the Liberals are running neck-and-neck with the Conservatives.
And Carney is what we used to call a "blue Liberal." He is a fiscal conservative with liberal values.
Just weeks ago, an election looked like it would be a lock for the surging Conservative brand, but there is now a path to victory for Carney personally, and for the Liberals to form government again.
We're not advocating for that outcome, but in a little more than a month, Canadians will have their say in what promises to be a very high-stakes contest given the current political climate south of the border.
It's going to be an interesting one, folks. Do not stay home, get out and vote.
