Healthcare (1960s) Canadian Culture Laws (1970s) Official Bilingualism (1970s)
Ah, I thought you were referring to the present government. I would say health care qualifies. Not the others. Official Bilingualism was certainly not brave given that Quebec, at the time, supplied half the seats for the Liberals and that it was designed to appease Quebec. "Culture wars" whatever that is, are always waged on behalf of the constituency which supports your party. So hardly very brave.
People knew as much during the election. We were told there was a brain trust, but it seems like there is only a family trust.
I think people just were ready for a change, and Harper didn't offer anything new. This coincided with a temporary economic downturn caused by oil price declines. I wrote the party six months before the election telling them they needed to go big and bold or they'd be on the opposition benches. They should have listened to me.