Based on that most convenient of research methods - the dinner party pop quiz - the leaders of Canada's three largest political parties are in the middle of an epic failure: the failure to inspire. None has communicated a galvanizing vision for the country. They want to lead, but without committing to where they'll take us or what it'll be like when we get there.
It's no coincidence that fewer Canadians vote in elections than ever before. Campaigning has become a dreary bookkeeping process, highlighted by occasional flashes of character assassination. "Here's what I'll give you if you vote for me and, oh, by the way, the other candidate is a dork." Note to the candidates: The word "leader" may be in your job title, but, unless you persuade us to follow you somewhere, you're not a leader. At best, you're a caretaker, reacting to external events to keep systems working.
Great leaders inspire us to follow. They titillate us with their view of a future we want. They convince us we can be part of creating something special, something bigger than us. We want that. We want to be moved by their vision, and the leaders need a great vision as an organizing principle. Without it, we voters are left to tote up the numbers on our self-interest ledger sheets. Candidate A will give me a tax break on daycare, which I need, but Candidate B will beef up our armed forces and I support our troops, and Candidate C will cut the tax on root vegetable farms and I do love rutabagas.
But where will our would-be leaders actually take us? What brave new world will we create together? Against what outcome will they measure all of their actions? To what vision do they, and we, hold them accountable?
The Conservative Party website describes Stephen Harper as "a leader of vision and competence." Competence? Isn't that the bare minimum for holding any job? "The state or quality of being adequately or well qualified; adequacy."
We accept that Mr. Harper is adequate. That's better than being inadequate, and we might be willing to follow him to his vision of a, well, what kind of future? What is this vision?
"We're taking action on the priorities of Canadians who work hard and play by the rules, and we've steered our country through the worst global economic recession since the 1930s."
So the vision then is, "We will do those things that the people who work hard and play by the rules want us to do"? It's a vision of what they'll do. But not a vision of where it'll take us, though it might motivate us to "play by the rules."
How about displaying a little brass and planting a Conservative flag in the ground with a truly inspirational vision, based on a set of values that Conservatives can claim as their own?
Something like: "We will reduce the size of government and get it out of your way in order to create a Canada that is the envy of the world; that works better and smarter, that respects creativity, individuality and entrepreneurship, and ensures a level playing field for everyone." And then make sure all policies and actions support that future vision.
What about the Liberal Party?
"Our platform in this election has one overriding objective: to make equal opportunity a reality for every Canadian, whether you live in a big city, a small town, a remote community, a farm or a fishing village."
But talk about muting your message and qualifying your commitment: Our "platform" in "this" election?
"Platform" is a piece of political jargon. No one cares what your "platform" is. We care about your vision for Canada and how you're going to get us there. And if your platform for this election doesn't work, you'll come up with something else?
How about inspiring us? Maybe something like: "We will create a Canada that is recognized universally as the place where everyone gets a fair shot at living their dream because equal opportunity is a reality for everyone, no matter where they live, what they do or who they are. No exceptions. Follow us and we'll make Canada the land of realized dreams."
And the NDP vision?
"Today I'm releasing my affordable plan to get Ottawa working for your family - one practical step at a time," says the NDP platform. "The New Democrat plan is focused on improving your health services, rewarding the job creators, strengthening your pension, and making your life a little more affordable."
Wow, really? Making my life "a little" more affordable? Not exactly the stuff that gets people storming the barricades.
How about something like: "The NDP will help create a Canada that honours the family unit, in all of its wonderful diversity, as the focal point of a better future. Canada will be known as the family country. All of our policies and actions - economic, health, environmental, social - will be measured against whether they improve life for Canadian families."
We don't need a leader if all they're going to do is manage what we've got. The bureaucracy can do that. If we're more than halfway through the campaign and no one can describe a leadership vision, then we have a failure in leadership. If you want our votes, inspire us, and if you want to inspire us, take us someplace we can't go without your leadership.
Geoffrey Rowan is the managing director of Ketchum Public Relations Canada.