Our political parties’ campaigns have resumed their increasingly clashing, seemingly desperate attempts to seduce Canadians.

Do they really want us to buy into their various promises of more tax cuts and more spending promises in exchange for our precious votes? Can we actually afford both tax reductions and new spending? Who will benefit? Will the homeless and the poor? If not, why not? Who will pay? Will the wealthy? If not, why not? Then, who will pay?

Our would-be leaders should honestly accept major moral-national challenges. They should demonstrate their professional ability and political integrity to gain and keep the citizens’ public trust by providing visionary leadership. They should chart a new era in Canada’s history, including quality of life for vulnerable people.

They are obliged to articulate substantial goals, in plain language that goes beyond cheap, slippery slogans and crummy, dumbed-down commercials.

Which key value-commitments and national public-justice agendas are at the heart of their duties to help provide conscientious parliamentary leadership? Thus, they can help build a stronger, unified Canada based on “peace, order and good government” and contribute to a safe, justice-friendly, free world.

Politicians seeking election to public office and voters exercising their citizenship rights should conscientiously use their political freedom and responsibility to participate in the ongoing struggles for lasting peace on earth and inclusive justice for all people. Then, they can advance concrete proposals and challenging demands that seriously reflect the urgent need to practice environmental stewardship, economic equity, mutual respect and social solidarity.

Thus, they would help stop: exploitation, greed, injustice and violations of creational concerns and the human rights and responsibilities foundational to the well-being of all.

They must move away from self-seeking, negative politics and destructive attack ads to life-affirming, community-building, harmonious ways of life and peace. When practiced, these values would foster national and international justice for all people, without discrimination.

Countless Canadians will not be neutral or park their core beliefs and fundamental values. We can’t afford to! Not in good faith and with a clear conscience! They directly affect our national life and future, also since Canada could help bring healing and hope to a wounded and despairing world.

Canadian politics should be for better, not for worse. We all should work for peace on earth and justice for all!

Gerald Vandezande is former national affairs director of Citizens for Public Justice. In 2001 he was awarded the Order of Canada and cited as “a powerful and respected voice for social justice.” A longer edition of this article originally appeared in The Toronto Star.