After the Election: Why I’m A Radical Centrist.
By Jack Henry, Interim Leader, Modern Commons Party of Canada
The 2025 federal election is behind us, and once again, Peterborough—and much of Canada—finds itself divided. Whether your candidate won or lost, you’ve likely felt the tension. It’s been palpable in conversations with neighbours, in online debates, and even in casual exchanges on the street. The rift between the left and right hasn’t diminished.
But as I reflect on the results, I’ve come to a conclusion: I know I fit politically. And it’s in the radical centre.
Accessibility Description: Hands being placed into the centre of a circle on top of one another with some of the sleeve colours corispondiong to the political party colours in Canada.
Growing up in a conservative household, I was taught the values of hard work, fiscal responsibility, and a deep sense of personal duty. These lessons shaped me and still influence how I approach the world today. Yet, as I grew older and started forming my own opinions, I began to realize that I didn’t quite fit into the strict boxes I had been given. I found myself questioning whether there had to be such stark divisions between the left and right, or if there could be a better way forward—a way that didn’t pull us further apart.
Over time, my personal journey and experiences have deepened my understanding of the need for balance. As the partner of a two-spirit Indigenous person, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the extremes of our politics can leave important voices unheard, and how the middle ground can be a space for understanding, respect, and meaningful change. My partner's perspective on culture, identity, and community has opened my eyes to the nuances in the conversation surrounding Indigenous rights & reconciliation, LGBTQIA+ rights and justice—issues that don't always fit into the neat categories that political parties often create.
Through a lot of self-reflection, I realized that my beliefs don’t fit neatly into one side or the other. Radical centrism isn’t about compromising my values or taking a neutral stance—it’s about rejecting the extremes and committing to something deeper. It’s about listening to people on all sides, refusing to be pulled into ideological battles, and having the courage to say, “We can do better than this. We can do both.”
In this election, we heard candidates argue as if Canada was only facing two choices: hard left or hard right. But life in Peterborough doesn’t work like that. Here, people care deeply about affordability and climate. About safety and reconciliation. About health care and small business. These aren’t issues that can be reduced to a single party platform, and they certainly can’t be solved by treating each other like enemies.
Through this process of self-reflection, I’ve come to understand that I’m a radical centrist because I believe in practical, people-first solutions. I believe we need environmental protections and economic resilience. We need strong public institutions and responsible budgets. We need to support working families, small businesses, and the farmers and tradespeople who are the backbone of our community. In the words of Manitoba premier Wab Kinew, “The economic horse must be able to pull the social wagon.”
To those on the right, I understand your call for responsibility, security, and order. In many cases I agree, but Canada can’t move forward if we dismiss compassion or ignore the reality of inequality. And to those on the left, your passion for justice and equality are powerful, but policy doesn’t work if people don’t feel heard. To both sides, we can’t move forward if we are constantly alienating the other half of our country as the “other”.
Centrism isn’t about being neutral or sitting on the fence. It’s about being bold enough to build bridges when it’s hard—especially when we disagree. In a town like Peterborough, where urban meets rural and history meets change, that balance is not just important—it’s essential.
As a belweather riding for the last 3 decades with the exception of the 2021 election, our riding has always reflected a broader Canadian truth: we’re complicated. We hold multiple truths at once. Our politics should reflect that.
So no, I don’t believe the centre is weak. I believe it’s the only place left where real dialogue can happen. If we’re serious about healing the divisions we’ve seen—both nationally and locally—we need to make space for conversations that bring us together, not tear us apart.
The election may be over, but the work of rebuilding trust and cooperation has just begun. That’s the kind of work radical centrists are ready to do.
Jack is a designer, entrepreneur and community advocate based in Peterborough, Ontario. He is also the interim leader of the Modern Commons Party of Canada