To succeed, you must reject the instincts of fierce partisan politics — party discipline, tribalism, and short-term wins — and embrace a bold vision of unity. Choose to be bold, daring and unconventional, and be a prime minister who reshapes Canada for the better in a new era. The choice is yours sir. History is watching, and Canadians are waiting. .

Dear Prime Minister Carney,

Congratulations on your victory in the federal election. As you take office as Canada’s next prime minister, you inherit a nation at a crossroads, grappling with economic uncertainty, and deep political divisions. Your win comes with a fragile mandate, one forged not in steadfast support for the Liberal Party but in a confluence of events combined with fear, pragmatism, and fleeting voter coalitions.

I write to urge you to recognize the precarious nature of your support, to respect the voices of all Canadians, and to seize this moment to form a national unity government that can guide us through the looming crisis. In essence I ask you to be bold, daring and unconventional.

Your election was no ringing endorsement of Liberal values. For many, the decision to mark their ballot in support of a Liberal candidate was a last-minute calculation driven by fear – fear of economic devastation from Donald Trump’s tariff war, fear of being annexed by the U.S., fear of a recession, and fear that a Conservative victory would result in Canadian politics mimicking the unsavoury and extremist political culture south of the border.

This is particularly true for NDP voters, who, despite their loyalty to social democratic principles, lent you their votes to avert a perceived greater threat. These voters did not abandon Jagmeet Singh or the NDP’s vision. Rather they voted strategically, prioritizing stability and Canadian unity over ideology. Their support for your party is tenuous, and they will likely return to their traditional voting patterns in the next election.

Equally significant are the 41 per cent of Canadians who cast ballots for Conservative candidates — a level of opposition support unseen since before the Second World War. In provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan, where Conservative candidates dominated on election night, your victory has been met with frustration, and even a sense of alienation. These voters were not merely casting protest votes. They supported a vision of change as espoused by the Conservatives. Ignoring their voices would risk deepening regional divides and fuelling resentment that could embolden a nascent separatist movement in Western Canada. Your mandate, while sufficient to govern, is razor-thin — three seats shy of a majority — and the close margins in many Liberal-Conservative contests underscores how easily the outcome could have gone the other way absent the spectre of Trump’s threats.

It was encouraging that your election night speech struck a chord of humility, acknowledging the narrowness of your mandate and the anxieties gripping the nation. But words alone will not suffice. Canadians are looking to you not as the leader of the Liberal Party, but as the prime minister of a diverse and fractious country facing an existential crisis. To navigate this storm, you must rise above partisan politics and unite Canadians around a shared purpose.

Here are three concrete steps that could achieve this and ensure that your government reflects the will of all Canadians.

First, grant the NDP official party status in the House of Commons.

Despite their reduced seat count, the NDP’s values and principles were not rejected by voters. Their supporters gave you their votes temporarily, but they remain a critical part of Canada’s political landscape. Giving the NDP party status would ensure their perspectives are heard in Parliament, foster inclusivity and signal respect for progressive ideals that millions of Canadians value. As prime minister, you have the power to make this happen. This gesture would also strengthen your coalition and reduce the risk to your government from a resurgent NDP under a new leader — a scenario that could precipitate a non-confidence motion in a few short years.

Second, focus on economic priorities, while being mindful of social issues that are important to Canadians.

Canadians are united in their concern for jobs, trade, and economic stability in the face of global upheaval, but there are a significant number of Canadians for whom fighting rising hate, bigotry and racism, standing up for human rights, and addressing the shame of Canada’s continued complicity in the genocide of Palestinians by Israel are major issues. It would be extreme folly to ignore them. While you need to prioritize internal unity, strengthen inter-provincial trade, and secure trade agreements with other nations to counter the effects of the tariff war, you must also address issues which speak to the humanity of Canadian society, support the values of equity, inclusivity and pluralism, and aggressively uphold human rights, whether at home or abroad. Because without our humanity we would be no better than many authoritarian regimes, which is not how Canadians see ourselves. You can address economic issues and build a tangible record of successes without relegating critical human rights and social justice issues to the bottom of the policy agenda.

Third, form a national unity government by inviting opposition MPs into your cabinet.

Canada has a precedent for this in times of crisis, most notably the 1917 Union Government, which brought together Liberals and Conservatives to address the challenges of the First World War. Today’s economic and geopolitical turmoil demands similar boldness. Including opposition MPs in key portfolios would ensure that diverse regional and ideological perspectives shape Canada’s response to the current crisis. A unity cabinet would not only stabilize your government by broadening its base but also demonstrate to Canadians that you are committed to governing for all, not just those who voted Liberal. It would be a powerful signal that you are prioritizing national interest over party loyalty, and would clearly differentiate you from the Conservatives.

Yes, there are risks to this approach. A unity government could strain party discipline and invite criticism from the Liberal establishment. But the rewards are far greater – a government that reflects Canada’s diversity, defuses regional tensions, and builds resilience against external threats. It could also be politically expedient by insulating your government from the threats of resurgent opposition parties.

The Conservatives’ fourth consecutive electoral setback (and Pierre Poilievre’s loss of his own seat) could likely force them to reposition the party by shedding their Trumpian undertones that alienated many voters. Forming a unity government now could benefit the Liberals in the long run by contrasting you with the Conservatives, and establish your image as a politician who puts country first.

Prime Minister, you surprised many on election night, not just with your victory but with a speech that revealed an ability to inspire hope. But that hope is fragile. Canadians are ready to rally in a crisis, as we have done in the past. To succeed, you must reject the instincts of fierce partisan politics — party discipline, tribalism, and short-term wins — and embrace a bold vision of unity. Choose to be bold, daring and unconventional, and be a prime minister who reshapes Canada for the better in a new era.

The choice is yours sir. History is watching, and Canadians are waiting.

Sincerely,

Fareed Khan – A Concerned Canadian

Fareed Khan is the founder of Canadians United Against Hate and has written and commented extensively about issues around racism and human rights.