Altogether, the 10 councillors represented four parties — OneCity, the NPA, COPE and the Greens — and were encouraged Nov. 5, 2018 to seek what unites them over their four-year term. That advice came from Libby Davies, the veteran NDP MP for Vancouver-East, who retired in 2015. Davies also served as a park board commissioner and city councillor. “We have high hopes for this new city council, and we wish you well,” Davies told the crowd. “Seek what unites you while respecting your adversaries, work in good faith for the greater good of our city.” Well, did they heed the political sage’s advice?

Historical evidence suggests Trudeau’s task will not be easy. There were three consecutive minority governments from 2004 to 2011 — one Liberal and two Conservative — and none lasted more than 2½ years. “[Liberals] need to change how they do their business. If they continue as usual, it’s sending a signal that they haven’t really been listening to anybody,” said Libby Davies, who was House leader for the smaller left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) for all three of those governments. “Not only the leaders, but the key people around them have got to look at this different political environment,” she said in an interview.

To save his government, Martin struck a deal with the NDP, under former leader Jack Layton, which included $4.6 billion in additional spending on social programs. “Certainly Martin was under enormous pressure and Jack was very good at seizing opportunity,” said Libby Davies, NDP House leader from 2003 to 2011. The episode ended with a dramatic tied vote in the House of Commons, with the Speaker casting the deciding vote that saved the government.

Ed Broadbent and Libby Davies spoke to The Sunday Edition’s Michael Enright following the 2019 federal election.