Here’s the thing about democracy. The principle that power resides in the people, must be respected at all times — not only when one side wins.

While many had broken political hearts Thursday night as election results were revealed, it was apparent the people were speaking. And they spoke quite clearly.

Winning a majority of 76 seats and receiving approximately 40 per cent of the popular vote is definitive for Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives, despite 60 per cent of the electorate not supporting the party.

That’s the way our system works. Progressives, too, have reaped the benefits of the same process.

The NDP received close to 34 per cent of the popular vote, becoming the official opposition with 40 seats, while the once mighty Liberals trailed at 19 per cent and lost party status. The Green Party, with nearly 5 per cent of the vote, won its first seat in the legislature — a truly historic moment.

The voting turnout was higher than it has been in several years, which supports the proposition that voters were not apathetic. Instead, they were angry.

Motivated by that anger, which is a powerful and often reckless force in a democracy, nothing was going to dissuade people that it was again time for the traditional Ontario rotation of the two old line parties.

Voters didn’t care that there was a change in the Conservative leader just weeks before the campaign kickoff. They didn’t care about personal Ford family matters. They didn’t care about the lack of a fully costed policy platform. They didn’t care about the inexperience of the leader.

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Nor did they care that the Liberal premier took herself out of the equation in the waning days of the election. “Sorry, not sorry” was a desperate pseudo apology. It was a risk too late.

The energetic option of the NDP was clearly too much change for too many voters. Instead, the electorate preferred familiar change, not necessarily transformative change.

Progressives were warned to bide their time and wait for another four years.

But, although Ontario PCs have their victory, it will not be easy to govern an angry democracy. Voters will quickly demand evidence of the change they desire. Unfortunately, for Doug Ford, that change may take longer than he expected.

Transition to government is a formal and highly professional process. Ford is now caught up with machinery of government decisions, cabinet making, scheduling issues, staff decisions, security concerns and legislative agendas.

While the premier designate is supported by a framework of experienced public servants and independent commissioners of integrity and conflict of interest, he must decide whether to listen to that advice, to reach out to other experienced Conservatives who have been in government, or to remain an “outsider” as he likes to portray himself.

Early signs are that he is listening. He has already noted that the transition will take up to 21 days.

His choice of ministers will be key. The minister of the environment (assuming he has one) must be nimble, given the federal government’s intention of imposing its own regime, if a province can’t or won’t, design a carbon tax or cap and trade program to reduce carbon emissions.

Ford has said he will eliminate the present cap and trade system, and instead enter into a legal battle with the federal government, an unpleasant start to an important federal/provincial relationship.

His selection for attorney general will also set a tone. The premier designate has mused about returning to the Toronto Anti Violence Investigation Strategy (TAVIS) controversial program of carding, which so frightened marginalized communities.

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He will discover that his social justice programs must be balanced and fair; otherwise the anger that pushed him into office could just as easily push him out next time around. Other political parties will not be his only opposition. Civil society will have a say as well.

And that’s the other thing about democracy. It can be fickle.

Four years, Mr. Ford. It is now time for you to govern. Best of luck.

Penny Collenette is an adjunct professor of law at the University of Ottawa and was a senior director of the Prime Minister’s Office for Jean Chrétien.

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