John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier and George Brown/LAC

By Thomas d’Aquino and J.D.M. Stewart

March 4, 2025

There are rare moments in the history of a country when the boldest and most idealistic actions are required. The moment in which Canada finds itself now is one of them.

The existential threat to Canada posed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s targeting of our economic security and sovereignty are clear. What is worse, there is no evidence that the American president will recant or revert to a position that respects the deep historical ties long enjoyed by Canada and the United States. This leaves Canada in a truly unprecedented and precarious situation.

The bold and idealistic response needed? A grand coalition government.

On one hand, the present political dialogue in our national politics is marked by deep and partisan divides. In the days ahead, there will be a new prime minister and a federal election will likely follow soon after, a period that will engulf the country in an intense debate about how best to respond to the unprecedented, irrational Trump threats.

At the same time, the election may well magnify national and regional differences – differences that we know the American president would be more than happy to exploit.

On the other hand, there is a palpable surge of patriotism in the country and a thirst for a new and united effort to lead Canada. This call has come from all corners of the country and from all parts of society. Supporters for what could be seen as a “wartime effort” to address current challenges include leaders in business, labour, the academy, the military, as well as ordinary Canadians. People are ready for a confident and concerted response to these times. They are also ready for a different kind of leadership.

Our proposal is for the winning party to govern as a coalition — regardless of the number of seats it wins. Its first and foremost priority would be the reconstruction of Canada as a highly successful middle power with the resilience and independence to defend against the superpower to the south on whom we can, apparently, no longer rely.

It would not be a surprise if such an idea were resisted by the political class. But if enough Canadians become seized with the possibility and it gathers currency, our politicians may listen and act accordingly.

Such an extraordinary national coalition would benefit from the support of the provinces and territories. Additionally, it would be well-served by an independent, non-partisan group of business, labour, academic and community leaders advocating for necessary reforms and dedicated to their implementation.

Pie in the sky? Maybe. It would not be a surprise if such an idea were resisted by the political class. But if enough Canadians become seized with the possibility and it gathers currency, our politicians may listen and act accordingly.

A grand coalition is not unprecedented in our country. John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier, and George Brown agreed to be improbable coalition partners in 1864, when the government of the United Province of Canada (Upper and Lower Canada) was deadlocked and unable to make any progress on issues of the day.

That so-called “Great Coalition” led to negotiations in 1864 that ultimately created the Dominion of Canada. The stakes were high, and the threat of absorption by the Americans was real. During meetings that same year in Quebec City to hammer out the final details of Confederation, Macdonald told the assembled politicians they would “convince the world of our strength by being united.”

Macdonald and Brown despised each other, but they both realized that they might be able to achieve something greater by adopting a healthy dose of pragmatism. “I trust that…whenever the great interests of Canada are at stake,” Brown wrote of the coalition, “we will forget our merely political partisanship and rally ’round the cause of our country.” Such pragmatism and idealism would serve the country well again.

But do we have the statesmanship to seize the moment?

There are big issues facing the country. Some are of our own making and some are thrust upon us. But rarely has Canada been faced with a situation as challenging as the one we find ourselves in today. We have finally started to talk about what needs to be done: there are urgent requirements to deal with our chronic productivity shortfalls, our internal barriers to trade, our stifling regulations, our inadequate public infrastructure, and our pathetically weak defence capabilities. The conversations are a first step. It’s the execution that poses a problem. We must do better. Much better.

A coalition/unity government can marshal an effort to fight the threats we face both near and abroad. It will prepare Canada for the future, and in years to come will be remembered as the historic moment when our leadership put the country first.

Thomas d’Aquino is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founding CEO of the Business Council of Canada. He is the author of the #1 national best-selling book ‘Private Power Public Purpose – Adventures in Business, Politics and the Arts’ and a Member of the Order of Canada.

J.D.M. Stewart is a historian and author of ‘Being Prime Minister’. He leads JDM Policy and Communications.