Text-only version: Federal Election 2025: Why I’m Endorsing Mark Carney & The Liberals Canada is at a crossroads. Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberals offer the experienced leadership Canada urgently needs. By Benjamin Perrin The federal election on April 28th is one of the most consequential in our history. With U.S. President Donald Trump openly threatening to annex Canada amidst an unjustified and unprovoked trade war, and conservative figures like Preston Manning and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith fanning the flames of “Western separatism”, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ten years ago, during the 2015 federal election, I publicly announced that I could no longer support the Conservative Party of Canada since it had lost its moral authority to govern. I had let my party membership lapse after being a life-long conservative, having campaigned, interned, worked in campaign “war rooms”, and served in senior positions, including in-house legal counsel and lead policy advisor on justice and public safety to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. During this last decade, I have been in the political wilderness—an experience that has given me the opportunity to learn, grow, and reflect on the policies I once supported, some of which caused harm and for which I have apologizedfor being a part of. In my research as a law professor during this period, I spent time listening to people across our country who have been affected by mental health challenges, poverty, substance use, incarceration, racism, and discrimination. I’ve seen firsthand how the rigid, free-market ideology of “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps” fails those who aren’t in a position to be able to do so. At the same time, my faith journey led me to have more compassion and understanding for people facing these incredibly difficult challenges. I’ve changed in the last decade, and the Conservative Party has changed too—just in the opposite direction. Under Pierre Poilievre, the Conservatives have embraced conspiracy theories, regressive proposals, and MAGA-style policies. I am gravely concerned about the harm to Canadians that a Poilievre government would bring. I have not held back in criticizing Poilievre's policies publicly. My perspective has also been profoundly shaped by my own experiences—particularly as the father of a severely disabled son who is about to turn 10 years old next month. Under the harsh conservative mindset, people are told to take "personal responsibility". People like our special little guy are left behind. I refuse to accept that. The turning point for me was when Prime Minister Mark Carney recently said: “What makes me a Liberal is an unwavering belief that an economy is only strong when it serves everyone, because in society people can slip through the cracks. They can be left behind.” I couldn’t agree more. In Prime Minister Mark Carney, I see a leader of substance, with the skills and experience to navigate the storms of Trump’s unpredictability and threats, and a dramatically shifting global order. A vision for a strong Canada where no one is left behind. His policies will build a better country we can all be proud of. That’s why I’m endorsing Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal Party of Canada to build Canada strong together. While the NDP and Greens have some policies and MPs I also admire, they simply do not have a realistic path to forming government or the leadership we need at this time. At this critical juncture, Canada needs a serious alternative to Pierre Poilievre’s harsh ideology and Trump-style politics. I invite you to join me—no matter your prior political background—in supporting Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Liberal team. Canada’s future depends on it. Benjamin Perrin, Vancouver, BC April 14, 2025