The Canadian Veterans Party: A Novel

Written by R. Bruce Stock, Major (Ret’d), author of the fictional “The Canadian Veterans Party: How Canadian Veterans, Led by an Algonquin Woman, Came to Power Legally”. The following is an excerpt.

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Chapter 2: The Big Picture

In organizing the new party’s first national conference, the planners had been thoughtful when they realized that, should the leadership vote end up selecting Rachel Kennedy, the excitement and crowd reaction would be so enthusiastic and lengthy, that her keynote address would be much better received after a break. And that’s what the popular MC, John Banks, announced:

“Fellow Veterans, Life Partners, Friends: What we’ve all witnessed tonight is a first ever. So let’s enjoy it, take a break, and come back in 30 minutes. Thank you.”

When the crowd returned and got settled, John continued:

“Hi everyone. I think it’s fair to say, we will all remember tonight for the rest of our lives. And one of the reasons for that is our next speaker: Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my welcome duty and personal honour to introduce the newly elected President of The CANADA NOW Party and the future first Indigenous Prime Minister of our nation. . . . Rachel . . . Kennedy!”

Once again, the roof almost lifted off the convention centre as the fired-up members of the country’s brand-new political party spoke, as one, in acclaiming their new leader. It took some time for the applause and excitement to abate simply because no one wanted them to. Then Rachel came forward to the podium and adjusted the mic.

“Fellow Veterans, Friends, thank you very, very much. I think you have changed my life and I will always be grateful.
Before sharing our mission tonight, I’d like to confirm that Winnipeg is located within Treaty No. 1 Territory, the traditional lands of the Ojibway, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dene and Dakota and is the Birthplace of the Metis Nation and the Heart of the Metis Nation Homeland. It also has the largest Indigenous population of any city in Canada, which helps explain why we’re all feeling so welcome here.
First things first. Let’s all thank the other leadership candidates and their life partners, who stood proud and true to offer their service to our new party’s leadership: Gary Ackerman, Jean-Jacques Grenier, and Doug Preece . . . we salute you!
We have a lot of ground to cover, so I’ll get started with What We Know, then What We Have To Offer, followed by Our Vision. I’ll close with something we all understand, Remembrance.
Whenever I’m faced with a massive issue, I’ve often found that by asking myself, “What Do I Know?” it gives me a few clues about a situation and I start to build from there. So as we look ahead to the biggest challenge we’ve ever had, What Do We Know?
After a great deal of reflection, I suggest we know:

1. 1. Canada is the legacy of three great kingdoms: the First Nations; the French and the British. Yet, despite that foundation, Canada today faces a crumbling future. And that is why we can no longer spectate, but must participate, to save the country’s tomorrow – not for us, but for our children and their children!
   2. We have an incredible mission to accomplish. In terms of scope, if we compare it to the D-Day invasion, we have to admit, it’s very comparable.
   3. Another thing we know is that a lot of, perhaps more than 50% of Canadians, are very sceptical about our involvement – they worry that this is some kind of military takeover of civilian rule. Our work is cut out for us to educate the public on why we are the attractive alternative.
   4. We also understand that not all Veterans will want to begin a new career as a Member of Parliament. That’s perfectly understandable.
   5. But at the same time, there are a healthy number of Veterans who totally embrace a second career of service to Canada, in the demanding new role of MP.
   6. To become a highly competent MP, we will bend over backward to develop an excellent training program for MP candidates. The plan is to offer a full, highly-trained slate of candidates for the next federal election scheduled for 2025.
   7. For those sceptics who suggest we have no experience in government, they forget, or overlook, that Canada has one of the finest cadres of civil servants in the world. From our experiences working with them previously on national projects, we think they are the best and will welcome their excellence, as they bring us up to speed in every ministry. Together, we will be a formidable partnership governing our country.
   8. Not only do Canadians respect our effectiveness in dealing with natural disasters, properly operating long-term care homes, and distributing vaccines across the country, our military allies think we’re the trusted professionals they want on their flank when battle comes.

So now, let’s review what we know about What We Have to Offer.

1. 1. As non-partisans, we are devoted to our country – not a political party. Partisanship, as we see it, has long passed its BEST BEFORE DATE, and has weakened our political system.
   2. We totally embrace the power of women and welcome their indispensable contribution to the competence of any organization. Why? Here are a few examples:
   3. During WW I, more than 2,800 nurses served with the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps. That number rose to 5,000 in WW II and was the same for Korea.
   4. in 1942, Mary Greyeyes, of Saskatchewan’s Muskeg Lake Indian Reserve, was the first Indigenous woman to enlist in the Canadian Army (CWAC).
   5. in 1987, Brigadier General Sheila Hellstrom was the first female general officer
   6. in 1989, Maj. Dee Brasseur and Capt. Jane Foster were the first two female CF-18 jet fighter pilots
   7. in 1998, LCol Karen McCrimmon was the first woman to command the famous 429 Transport Squadron
   8. in 2001, Capt. Maryse Carmichael was the first female Snowbird pilot, and if that wasn’t distinction enough, in 2010, she became their Commanding Officer.
   9. in 2015, LGen Chris Whitecross, was the first woman to hold that rank and the next year, was named Commandant of the NATO Defence College in Rome.

I’ll stop here, but as we all know this list goes on and on, as the record of female firsts in the Canadian Armed Forces is one that gives us tremendous pride and inspiration. In a word, they are indispensable!

• • Something else we offer? We’re accustomed to daily accountability and team production.
  • We embrace ethnicity. It never gets in the way of fulfilling the mission.
  • Our military experience has given us good Indigenous relations. Indigenous vs. non-Indigenous is never an issue because there’s a job to be done.
  • We understand international cooperation on a personal level from our experiences during international operations overseas.
  • Last but not least, we provide Canadian taxpayers with added value to their original investment in our military careers, as we train for and implement our second career – to serve our country. Promise Kept – again.

Private Mary Greyeyes of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC). (Credit: The Leader-Post via Newspapers.com)

Now let’s talk about Our Vision. At this point, we’ve covered What Do We Know? And What We Have To Offer, so it’s time to look at OUR VISION. When we consider everything at stake and the true potential the CANADA NOW Party has to offer, it is more than reasonable to declare that Our Vision is  . . . to offer a full slate of 338 candidates in the federal election projected for 2025. Yes, that’s correct! For the first time in Canada’s political history, a new political party will field 338 candidates for a federal election. I agree. It’s bold and unheard of, but so are the dire straits our beloved Canada now finds itself in. But here is the inescapable question: If we don’t put Canada back on the path of balanced progress, who will? The NDP? . . .  The Bloc?  . . .The Greens? . . . The People’s Party of Canada? . . . The Tories? . . . The Liberals?  We all know the answer: only the CNP has the people, the competence, the mission success, and the track record of Promise Kept – to do the job. And in the final analysis,  Canada deserves better!

In closing my Fellow Veterans, Life Partners, and Friends, one last thought. You and I have a singular advantage no politicians can match: a unique bond of proven Service to Canada that will allow us to restore Canada’s future – for our children and their children.

Welcome to Our Quest!”

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Main photo: Map of the 338 Canadian ridings represented in the House of Commons. Current as of 30Oct2017. (Credit: DrRandomFactor via WikiCommons)

Thank you to the author for sharing this excerpt from his novel.