By Richard Martin, Chief Strategist, Alcera Consulting Inc.
As Canada approaches another pivotal election on April 28th, 2025, political observers are once again confronted with a familiar question: why has the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) so often emerged as the dominant political force in the country’s history? The answer lies not simply in charismatic leadership or campaign strategy, but in a deeper, structural alignment between the Liberal Party and the institutional trust that forms the essential deep core of Canadian society and polity.
A Nation Built on Peace, Order, and Good Government
Unlike the United States, whose founding ethos revolves around individual liberty and suspicion of centralized power, Canada’s national identity has been built upon a foundation of peace, order, and good government. This triad is not just a constitutional phrase; it is a guiding cultural principle. Canadians, by and large, have historically placed great trust in public institutions—from Parliament and the courts to the civil service, Crown corporations, and the CBC. These institutions have been seen not as obstacles to liberty, but as instruments of collective well-being, fairness, and stability.
The Liberal Party, more than any other, has consistently embodied this institutional ethos. It has positioned itself as the party of responsible government, expert administration, and measured progress, aligning its political identity with Canadians’ belief in incrementalism over radicalism and competence over charisma.
Institutional Trust as the Deep Core of Canadian Political Culture
The concept of a “deep core” refers to the enduring, often subconscious foundations of a society’s values and expectations. In Canada, this deep core includes:
- A respect for professional expertise and civil service continuity
- A belief in moderate reform, not revolutionary change
- A cultural preference for negotiation, compromise, and balance
- A view of government as a legitimate vehicle for collective action
These traits align seamlessly with the Liberal Party’s approach for over a century. Liberal leaders from Laurier to Pearson, from Chrétien to the Trudeaus, have appealed not only to policy preferences, but to this national disposition toward centrism, order, and institutional trust.
The Liberal Advantage: Embedded in the Institutional Mainstream
Over time, the Liberal Party has become more than a political brand; it has become part of the architecture of Canadian governance. It is deeply embedded in the very institutions it champions:
- It created and expanded universal healthcare, the Canada Pension Plan, and official bilingualism.
- It has steered Canada’s foreign policy through a multilateralist lens, reinforcing trust in diplomacy and international institutions.
- It has embraced technocratic management, particularly under leaders like Paul Martin (as finance minister) and now Mark Carney, aligning with Canadians’ preference for expert-led problem-solving.
Even when challenged by left- or right-wing movements, the Liberals have often absorbed or moderated those energies, preserving the centrality of institutional consensus.
Why the Liberals Govern More Often
This deep alignment with Canadian political culture helps explain why the Liberals have governed for approximately two-thirds of Canada’s post-Confederation history. While the Conservatives have periodically succeeded—especially during periods of economic unrest or Western alienation—they often do so by temporarily adapting themselves to the institutional centre, as Mulroney and Harper did.
In contrast, when conservative movements adopt more radical or populist tones, as in the case of Pierre Poilievre’s current messaging, they risk clashing with Canadians’ traditional discomfort with institutional disruption. Policies that appear to threaten the CBC, central regulatory frameworks, or Canada’s diplomatic posture may find resonance among disaffected segments, but not with the broad mainstream that prefers continuity over confrontation.
Conclusion: The Centre Holds
In times of uncertainty—whether economic, geopolitical, or social—Canadians have tended to return to the party that offers institutional reassurance and practical governance. The Liberal Party, with its long-standing orientation toward technocratic stability, internationalism, and institutional stewardship, remains uniquely positioned to represent Canada’s deep cultural and political core.
As the 2025 election unfolds, this structural advantage may again come to the fore—not as a matter of electoral momentum, but as a reflection of what most Canadians continue to believe: that peace, order, and good government are not just ideals, but the cornerstones of their national identity, and that the Liberal Party remains the most natural steward of that legacy.
About the Author
Richard Martin is the founder and president of Alcera Consulting Inc., a strategic advisory firm specializing in exploiting change (www.exploitingchange.com). Richard’s mission is to empower top-level leaders to exercise strategic foresight, navigate uncertainty, drive transformative change, and build individual and organizational resilience, ensuring market dominance and excellence in public governance. He is the author of Brilliant Manoeuvres: How to Use Military Wisdom to Win Business Battles. He is also the developer of Worldview Warfare and Strategic Epistemology, a groundbreaking methodology that focuses on understanding beliefs, values, and strategy in a world of conflict, competition, and cooperation.
© 2025 Richard Martin
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