Canada’s New Prime Minister Shows Tonga What Real Leadership Looks Like
A new political wind is blowing in Ottawa, and its message is as clear as it is bold: governments must be catalysts, not barriers. As Canada ushers in a new Prime Minister, one can only hope that the leadership in Tonga is watching—and learning.
Before even taking office, the Canadian Prime Minister laid out a visionary agenda rooted in economic inclusiveness, disciplined fiscal management, and one critical idea Tonga would do well to adopt: the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a tool to unleash national potential, not stifle it with bureaucracy.
This is not leadership built on platitudes or political survival. It is pragmatic, forward-thinking governance grounded in action. The Prime Minister’s pledge to reduce government operational growth from an unsustainable 9% per year down to 2% is not just a commitment to fiscal responsibility—it is a signal to private investors that Canada is open for business and serious about efficient government.
In a move that underscores the historic significance of this leadership reset, the Prime Minister also confirmed that later this month, King Charles III will officially open the new Canadian Parliament by delivering the Speech from the Throne, accompanied by Queen Camilla. This ceremonial moment marks more than tradition—it signals to Canadians and the world that a new chapter is beginning, with purpose and unity.
Contrast this with Tonga, where decisive leadership on economic development often stalls in the shadow of inaction, bureaucracy, and an absence of clear vision. Projects that could attract private capital are bogged down in layers of inefficiency. Instead of setting the pace, government becomes the drag—slow to approve, hesitant to trust, and reluctant to share responsibility with the private sector.
The Canadian model offers an alternative. The incoming administration is launching a new “Build Canada Homes” initiative, unlocking $25 billion in financing for developers to tackle the country’s housing crisis. But more than just spending money, they are removing red tape—cutting development charges, catalyzing new industries in modular construction, and tying infrastructure to economic inclusion. This is not simply building homes; it is building a future, and inviting everyone to take part.
Tonga must rise to this challenge. The current Prime Minister, Dr. ‘Aisake Eke, who is also Finance Minister, faces mounting national debt and a slow recovery from both natural disasters and the COVID era. Yet his administration continues to show little urgency in adopting innovative approaches. Where are Tonga’s PPP frameworks? Where is the empowered investment board with teeth and transparency? Where is the bold, integrated housing or infrastructure strategy backed by capital partnerships?
If the Prime Minister wants to go to the general election this year and show the country that he deserves a chance to finish his plan and vision for Tonga, then he must lead from the front. Since his return from Washington, there has been no clear articulation of what the outcomes were. Instead of releasing vague and technical public statements that are often hard to understand and follow, he needs to show up, take control of his cabinet, and chart a clear course forward. Right now, there is no cohesion in his government—his ministers are off doing their own thing, and it reflects poorly on the overall competence and unity of the administration.
What Canada’s new leadership understands—and what Tonga must embrace—is that good governance is not about doing everything. It’s about enabling others to build with you. The private sector, if treated as a true partner, can deliver solutions faster, better, and cheaper—especially when public funds are limited. But they won’t come if trust, policy clarity, or legal frameworks are missing.
Canada’s Prime Minister said it plainly: “Our government will spend less so that Canadians can invest more.” That’s the kind of courage Tonga’s leadership must find. It means cutting waste, capping public sector bloat, and focusing resources where they unlock the greatest return. It means inviting Tongans abroad to come home and build—something we talk about, but rarely prepare for with the systems to back it.
It also means being strategic in international engagement. While Canada is actively recalibrating its global alliances—with the U.S., Japan, Europe, and others—Tonga remains passive, often reactive, and still overly dependent on ad hoc donor assistance. The time to shift from dependency to partnership is now.
In a world grappling with inflation, climate shocks, and geopolitical realignment, small states like Tonga must be nimble, not timid. The example from Canada is clear: bold leadership, smart spending, and empowered partnerships are the way forward.
Prime Minister Eke has a mandate. The question is—will he use it to lead or to wait?
By Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News
