New CPC ads

I don't know what to think about this.

I'm pretty sure I think I don't like it though.

CTV broke the news today that the CPC ads defending the traditional definition of marriage will appear in multicultural newspapers and religious publications in the coming days.

If this is the party's strategy for appealing to various cultural groups and elements of civil society where it hasn't previously had much profile, I'd suggest we shouldn't expect much by way of results. This is not the kind of thing that is going to make previously affirming Liberals trade in their memberships and become life-long Conservatives.

I think we'd be naive to assume that the CPC is going to win over vast numbers of individuals in communities where we've previously failed with this ad on same-sex marriage. As is the case with most other Canadians, gay marriage isn't a make or break voting issue for most members of these communities. I guess I'm kind of dissapointed with this.

I feel strongly that we can win over Canadians in many of these communities by putting forward sound policy positions on issues that matter to them. Like most anyone else, members in these communities are primarily concerned with quality of life issues. We can succeed by proposing sound policies that reflect the need for a fairer immigration and refugee application process, speedier recognition of foreign credentials and by planning to provide the tools necessary to fill the gap where those credentials fall short. In short, I think a sound strategy is being patient, building relationships in Canada's cultural communities with effective party ambassadors and communicators and through building effective policy. I don't think driving a wedge and tugging is conducive to long-term growth of the party.

All this is to say nothing of the party's decision to release the ads in English and French only. Given that the ad is destined for small community based cultural papers, it might have made sense to produce something that would speak to readers in their native languages.

Beyond my doubts about how well this will be received in the first place, the process for responding couldn't be more confusing or trying. Readers who care enough to respond in the first place will have to hunt down a pair of scissors to clip out the ad, fill out the form, copy out the OLO address on a seperate envelope and finally get that completed envelope to a mail box. Not exactly the kind of lengths that the casual observer will be willing to go to. I can't see this ad being used effectively for voter ID, the best we can hope for is flying the party flag in outlets where it isn't traditionally done.

We can do better than this.