Chapter Text
October 2nd, 2038
Transcript, CBC Federal Election Night Broadcast, English Language Edition, 2038-10-02
[CUE MUSIC AND PARLIAMENT HILL GRAPHIC OVERLAY FADING INTO BACKGROUND WITH OVERLAY OF THE OFFICIAL PORTRAIT OF ILYA HOLLANDER-ROSANOV AND TEXT "LIBERAL-DEMOCRAT MAJORITY"]
Anchor - CBC National Election Lead Jane Lilienthal:
We have breaking news. The CBC Election desk has analyzed the total votes counted so far and the exit poll results, and can now project that the next Canadian federal government will be a Liberal-Democrat majority. Ilya Hollander-Rosanov, the leader of the Liberal-Democrats, will become Canada's new Prime Minister. We don't know the size of the Liberal-Democrats' majority yet, but early indications show that they are headed to a landslide victory. Let's go over to our panel of analysts to assess this groundbreaking result. Mark, your thoughts?
Panelist 1 - Mark Knoll, Toronto Globe & Mail National Political Correspondent
This result is truly a monumental moment in Canadian political history. The Liberal-Democrats are winning ridings from coast to coast, first in the Martimes, then in Quebec, and in Liberal strongholds in Ontario, but also picking up numerous seats in areas where the Tories have historically dominated in the Prairies, as well as making a strong showing in British Columbia. This could be the biggest win for the Liberals since Jean Chretien's landslide win all the way back in 1993. Aided of course by the Liberals merger with the New Democrats a few years ago. And let's acknowledge the impressive campaign that Ilya Hollander-Rosanov ran. He was a tornado of activity campaigning across Canada, campaigning in ridings where the Liberals or the New Democrats had not won in years, taking the Lib-Dems' message to Canadian voters. His efforts, and the efforts of the party that he leads, clearly resonated with Canadians, as tonight's results are showing.
Lilienthal:
Jean-Marc, Susan, any thoughts on Hollander-Rosanov himself?
Panelist 2 - Jean-Marc Charron, Montreal Gazette Political Columnist
We have to recognize the significant event that's the election of Ilya Hollander-Rosanov. Born in Russia, a naturalised Canadian citizen, former hockey superstar, married to Shane Hollander-Rosanov, as everyone knows also a former hockey superstar. Truly a groundbreaking individual to become prime minister, unlike anyone Canada has ever seen in its leaders before.
Panelist 3 - Susan McKesson, Vancouver Sun National Reporter
Hollander-Rosanov had the distinct advantage of being a celebrity even before he entered politics, having lead the Ottawa Centaurs to three Stanley Cup victories, much to my chagrin as a former Toronto supporter. [LAUGHS.]
Lilienthal:
Don't forget he lead the Boston Raiders to a Stanley Cup victory too before he signed with Ottawa.
McKesson:
Jane, you're a true hockey fan by remembering that. [LAUGHS.] Hollander-Rosanov had a rapid rise in politics since he retired from professional hockey. His efforts to promote LGTBQIA rights in Canada, and then globally, and his work with charitable foundations including the one established by his husband Shane and him, lead former Prime Minister Carney to tap him to run for Parliament in an Ottawa riding, to which he was easily elected. He then quickly rose in the ministerial ranks, playing significant roles in several departments, particularly in foreign affairs when the Putin government collapsed in the years following the Ukraine debacle. Then he became party leader after the Liberal-New Democrats merged. By many accounts, and as demonstrated in his work and public statements as Official Leader of the Opposition, and most recently in the commanding leader's performance he gave in the Leader's Debate a few weeks ago, he has shown a substantial depth of knowledge across a variety of issues facing Canadians and Canada. Parliament Hill and party insiders report that he is an extremely effective and popular party leader in the Lib-Dem caucus. And he communicates strongly in English and French, despite those being his second and third languages, which he learned after coming to North America for the NHL draft in 2009 when he was just what, 18, 19?
Knoll:
I think he was 18 when he was drafted. The Liberal-Democrats were undoubtedly helped by the Tories' collapse. They've had a really weak result, and current projects indicate they may have less than 30 seats in the next Parliament.
Charron:
The Conservative Leader Gilbert Comeau, who's only been Prime Minister for four months, after Pierre Poilievre's sudden resignation, ran in my opinion a turgid, reactionary campaign with not so subtle and shocking criticisms of both Hollander-Rosanovs' sexual orientation and marriage. The vast majority of Canadians don't care about that. It's not the 1990s or even early 2000s anymore. The Tories really had, again in my opinion, nothing positive to say and frankly little to show for their short term leading the government after the last election in which they barely secured a minority government. I'm sure my colleagues may disagree with some of that.
Knoll:
Yes, Jean-Marc, I'm sure others will debate that. [LAUGHS.]
Charron:
But tonight's results are bearing out my point. Also, quick note on the equally bad performance of the Bloc. Hollander-Rosanov's fluency in French clearly helped in his campaigning for Lib-Dem candidates in Quebec.
Lilienthal:
Thanks all. [TURNING TO CAMERA.] Much more to come tonight as additional results come in on this historic night for Canada. We haven't heard from the party leaders yet, but expect them to speak to their supporters around 10 pm Eastern time. Now we're going out to Calgary Centre where CBC Correspondent Anne Moore is covering what appears to be Liberal-Democrat pickups of several ridings in Alberta.