"This is very interesting because the Liberal Party of Canada, heading into an election, at the last minute they always stand up and they say: We know there's people out there that want to vote NDP and God love you"

Rick Mercer’s words showcase a well-recognized pattern in Canadian federal politics, particularly regarding the interactions between the Liberal Party and the New Democratic Party (NDP) leading up to elections. He observes how the Liberals, just before voters head to the polls, adopt a rhetoric aimed at progressive Canadians who might be leaning toward voting NDP. There is an almost ritualistic quality to the way the Liberals acknowledge the “good intentions” of NDP supporters, telling them “God love you”, while simultaneously appealing to their pragmatism over their idealism.

This reference to the Liberals’ last-minute tactics highlights a strategic plea to voters who might prefer the NDP’s policies but fear a split on the left will hand victory to the Conservatives. The Liberals, according to Mercer, seek to assure NDP voters that their values are admirable, but also try to convince them that a vote for the NDP could inadvertently elect a right-wing government. This creates a sort of emotional and moral dilemma for centre-left voters: stick with their first choice and risk empowering political opponents, or “hold their nose” and vote Liberal as a compromise to stave off a Conservative victory.

Underlying this is a critique of institutionalized electioneering. Rather than focusing on establishing clear ideological distinctions or seeking to win voters through policy and vision, the Liberals rely on stoking anxieties about “vote splitting” and framing themselves as the only viable progressive option. Mercer’s phrasing, lightly mocking, but affectionate, reminds the audience that such practices are cyclical and predictable. Every election, the same appeals are trotted out at the eleventh hour, capitalizing on the hopes and fears of left-leaning Canadians.

Ultimately, Mercer’s observation provides a cynical, yet accurate window into the dynamics at play on Canada’s political left, where genuine enthusiasm for alternatives like the NDP is acknowledged, but often undermined by appeals to strategic voting and electoral calculations.