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Muddling through has been the modus operandi for many Canadian governments dating back to Lester Pearson in the 1960s but it is demonstrably not sufficient for today’s challenges. The essential threat then was to national unity and it was contained, more or less, through a royal commission, the recruitment of star Quebec candidates, including Pierre Elliott Trudeau, to government, and the triumph of Expo 67 in Montreal.
Today, Canada faces a perfect storm of dysfunction at various government levels and with key Canadian institutions. Muddling through is not the answer. The public is increasingly frustrated over the inability of governments to manage the pandemic. Trust is at a low ebb and no one really knows who or what to believe. Beyond the impact of the virus itself, consequences are spiralling downwards for the economy, the budget, public education and the mental health of Canadians of all ages.