Political Parties - What does "progressive" mean?

[Keepitsimple]

I've always taken issue with the use of the term "progressive" as it relates to political parties. The media seem to constantly refer to left-leaning parties - mainly the Liberals and NDP - as "progressive"......and of course by default, it implies that Conservatives are not progressive. What does the term "progressive" really mean in the context of today's Canada?

I've taken issue with the term because its application seems to single-mindedly relate to a continual expansion of of social programs - to the exclusion of any true vision for the country. To me, progressive means moving forward - taking incremental steps that make Canada stronger, better, more inclusive, and more united.

The Conservative Party is not everyone's cup of tea but they have taken many steps that can be considered progressive - even though some would disagree. I don't want to spend all day at the keyboard - I'm sure others can think of "progressive" policies that are beyond a myopic expansion of social programs. Here's a few to start with:

1) The approach that Conservatives have taken on Quebec has marginalized separatists to a degree never before seen. You can chalk some of that up to the Liberal implosion. Cynics would say that the Conservatives are just trying to win seats......but there is no arguing that Quebecers are re-examining how their province can play a more cooperative role within the federation. This is building a stronger and more united Canada. I call that progressive.

2) The Kelowna Accord. Over and over, year after year, we've thrown money at First Nations - and it obviously has not worked as well as it should have. People should understand that Kelowna was just more money. Sure it was $5 billion but that was over 10 years - half a billion a year. Sounds like a lot, but since we already spend close to $10 billion a year, it's an increase in the order of 5%. Quibble with the figures but it's just throwing a bit more money into the pot. The Conservatives have put in place a process to drastically speed up land claims - a major irritant. They have introduced a bill to put First Nations under the protection of Canadian Human Rights laws. They have started to invest a similar of amount of money to Kelowna in ways that more directly help First Nations reservations.....and while I do not know the details, the government wants to make the Band Chiefs more accountable for the money that flows to the reservations. I call all these steps progressive.

3) The Arctic - Canada's great North is a treasure trove of resources, but if we do not take actions to secure our land, we stand to lose our sovereignty over it. We're taking major steps to protect our land. I call that progressive.

4) The Military - in World War II, Canada was recognized as having the best trained military in the world. People may disagree with how our troops are deployed but there is no doubt that our military was severely understaffed and under-equipped - a mere shadow of what we were. Canadians have a capacity to be a leader in the world, in spite of our size......but we need to back up our rhetoric with the ability to stand up for our principles. There will always be a debate as to whether we should be peace-keepers or warriors - but the fact is, we should be able to be both. The world has become polarized with fanatical fundamentalists - people who know no rules of war, show no pity in killing civilians, and try to achieve their goals through sheer terror and barbarism. Until there is some semblance of peace to keep, there isw little opportunity to use a peace-keeping force.....but there is a growing need to provide security to innocent people - and that often involves conducting "warfare". We are in the process of re-building our military to protect us at home, to provide security abroad, and yes, to keep the peace when the opportunity arises. I call that progressive.

[DrGreenthumb]

please give your head a shake! Calling these modern neanderthals progressive is laughable. They are taking Canada back to the stone age. Forget fact, science and common sense, conservatives move forward with what they "believe". I am sick of having their religious right morals system forced down Canada's throat, and I'm Christian myself. Religion and politics don't mix, but when it comes to conservatives and their voting practices, they cannot and will not ever be able to differentiate between "sin" and crime.

[Moxie]

Great post keepitsimple, I can't possibly expand on it.

I believe Harper can do great things for Canada, we need "Progressive" change. The Liberals seem mired in the past, their love of the Europian way and the fact that they seem fixated with sex, multiculture, the poor and appeasement isn't a path I want Canada on. PET used Europe as his model of HOW Canada should be, multiculture, bilingualism, blah blah. I do not want to go down that path, Europe is a mess. I like that Harper is doing things his way, some times I don't agree with him and I speak my mind. Overall I like that Canada isn't going down the socialist path that Europe WAS on.

[August1991]

The word "progressive" has been used in both Canadian and American politics and we have had several threads on this issue. Here's my entry in one of them:

The word "progressive" as it was attached to the Conservative Party of Canada between 1942 and, I guess, 2002 has a troubled history. You can read about it here.

In the US, the use of the word progressive in a political party is even more confusing. (Read here.)

In all cases though, I think North American politicians have adopted the word "progressive" because it implies something modern or new or good. (I find it mildly ironic that the Left, which normally eschews consumerism, would fall back on rank marketing to choose a label for its movement.)

[Topaz]

Well, by new webster's dictionary progressive means, moving forward, increasing, having to do with a political and social progress. I think when Harper and McKay cooked up this party, McKay probably wanted the whole name and Harper couldn't have that because of the Alliance members so he said ok, let be Conservatives. If you have watch the question period, you'll hear that say they are progressive. Baird for one, after his grand standing before the camera , he 'll say, " thirteen years, no action from the Libs, but we get it done" So by the cons keep saying they get done, they are saying they are progressive conservatives and I guess the Alliance beliefs within the party have finally died.