The Liberal prognosis is grim. For Trudeau to stand a chance, the government will need a major policy pivot. The Liberals could harness some of the populist economic momentum by cracking down on monopolistic practices or opening the telecom sector to foreign investment. Trudeau could make a generational commitment to restoring the dream of homeownership to the middle class. He could articulate his positive vision for Canada, as the nation he described in his father’s eulogy: a place “where simple tolerance, mere tolerance, is not enough.” A nation animated by “genuine and deep respect” for Canadians of all origins, values, and beliefs. A nation we may yet become.
Whether he will do any of these things is, of course, anyone’s guess. For all I know, Trudeau will be swallowed by the anti-incumbent wave after all—or take cover long before it arrives. But we are not the United States. We are not Britain, France, or anywhere else. Our future is unwritten, its outlines discernible in polls, perhaps, but also in the relationship between a father and son, their half-realized dreams, and long, lonely walks through the snow.
Whatever they’re doing (or not doing?) now seems to be working. We may be paying more than other countries but I can say my phone bill is lower than it’s ever been since the beginning of the smartphone age and I’m getting way more for those dollars too.
Edit: that being said, I do hear of people paying close to $100 for a phone plan. I don’t know how they just go along with that or what value they think they’re getting but it’s definitely not necessary to spend that much these days.
Unless I want no coverage, I’m paying $117/mo for a two phone plan with 2GB data. After pricing out all the options, I haven’t found a better plan in my area that actually gets reception.
Are you using a satellite phone or something unusual? If you’re on a “big 3” network there are definitely better plans than that.