vote compass
If you’re Canadian, you’re probably getting a bit tired from all the rhetoric of the upcoming federal election. Canadians have the right to be electioned-out in view of the fact that we’ve had what seems like too many election campaigns to live through in recent years.
Our last election in May, 2011, was Canada’s 41st federal election. Prior to that, we voted in 2008 and in 2006 when Stephen Harper became Prime Minister with a minority government. We’ve had a Conservative government ever since then. I, for one, sincerely hope the results of the upcoming election will change things for the better for Canadians. We’re one of the best countries in the world. We deserve a government and a prime minister we can be proud of. Not one that we’re forced to live with and that few people will admit they voted for.
People who know me well, know that I am not a political animal. I almost always vote (for any election – be it municipal, provincial or federal.) But politics is not a driving force in my life.
Things are different this time around, as I’m fearing that too many Canadians have given up and are saying, ‘Who else am I going to vote for?’ rather than taking the time and effort to delve into the issues, look more closely at the personalities, and find an alternative they can embrace … or find their way back to the party they know and to which they can align themselves with good conscience.
I’m therefore devoting this blog as an appeal to everyone (who hasn’t already) to take the CBC VoteCompass. It’s a painless process that only takes 5-10 minutes, and will reaffirm your own personal and moral values in the name of a political party. In the last election campaign, I took the “vote compass” survey, and was most closely aligned with the Liberal party. I plan to take the Vote Compass again this year to see which party is currently most in synch with my needs and priorities.
Over the years, I’ve primarily voted Liberal in federal elections and NDP provincially.
For the past few years, I’ve lived in the Selkirk Interlake riding, where the Conservative incumbent is very likely to be re-elected. He is a well respected man, and if he were running for another party, would likely have my vote. But that won’t stop me from voting against him. I cannot vote for Stephen Harper, no matter who my local representative is.
As of today, I really don’t know who I will vote for as there is not a strong opponent. The Liberal party made no effort to connect with voters in my area during the last election and does not likely have a chance of winning this election. The NDP may have a better chance. We also have a Green candidate in our region. Very important, as the health of Lake Winnipeg is a critical local issue. I may even be swayed in that direction, to give the party more of the much-needed funding they deserve.
But come hell or high water, I will be voting. And I hope this post has encouraged some of you who were blocking out the rhetoric and don’t care about voting, to go out and vote for a party you can be proud of. One that supports your values as an artist, writer, global citizen, or caring human being.
Please make my day and share your thoughts. Will this election make you step forward and try to make a difference? Have you taken the “vote compass” and did the results confirm or surprise you?
Thanks so much for weighing in, Lisa.
I read your blog and it is a fantastic post. I urge everyone reading this to hop over to your blog and read your thoughts on the election.
Let's just hope everything gets out to vote, and has the courage to vote for change.
I am a third generation political junkie. I am a happy camper during elections.
Here are my thoughts on the vote today.
http://lisamaccoll.blogspot.com/2011/04/politics-elections-and-why-i-will-be.html
Thanks for your comment, Alex, and welcome to the blog.
The comment from Colleen, that Alex was referring to is posted below (with permission from Colleen, who is currently plugged in and anxiously awaiting the Canadian election results while on the Greek island of Kefalonia.)
Colleen's comment originally appeared on the listserv of the Canadian Freelance Union.
Thanks, Doreen, for your blog. I am lucky because I love my MP, Libby Davies, and there is no way a Harper Conservative would win in Vancouver East. But if I lived in Ontario right now, I would be voting for whoever could defeat the Tory, even if it meant voting for someone while holding my nose. The only way to ensure the NDP or Liberals could even do anything constructive sitting on the Opposition benches is by ensuring that the next Parliament isn't run by Harper. We already know that. A split vote in Ontario will strengthen the Conservatives, so hopefully people will be voting strategically, even if it means you can't vote with your heart.
Yesterday in the Toronto Star it was reported that Harper is non-committal about whether he would honour a decision by the Gov-General to support a coalition government made up of the NDP and Liberals. If Harper doesn't get a majority we may be into a Constitutional crisis – and if the three opposition parties are weak it will be awful.
Here's hoping that tomorrow gives us a government that represents the people of Canada.
If you could post it that would be great.
Colleen Fuller
Hi:
I went into the election undecided about whether to support the Greens or the NDP. The Conservatives lost my respect for their contempt of Parliament and the Liberals hadn't done much. But I have been very impressed with Ignatieff during the campaign. No razzle-dazzle just straight forward commitments. What sold me was his answer to Mansbridge on the coalition govt nonsense. Cut thru all the B.S. The NDP lost me when they attacked Iggy's voting record. That was a total misrepresentation of Parliament.
But I agree with Colleen. Vote for the MP who will best represent you. That's what they're there for.
cheers
Alex Binkley
Thanks for joining the discussion, irene. Vote with your heart and soul and don't be influenced by who is thought to have it in the bag, or by ties of any sort. This is a very serious time in Canada's political landscape. I can only hope that the latest polls are accurate and that our fellow Canadians will have the courage to vote the current government down.
Hi Everyone,
Like Doreen and several others I live in a riding where the Conservatives always win. As a result neither the Liberals nor the NDP can get a creditable candidate to run, which makes it difficult for me to decide who to vote for. Incidentally, I am in Steven Fletcher's riding. I strongly disagree with his political views (and Harper's) and he knows that, but his parents are friends of mine and I've known him since he was about six years old.
Thanks for clarifying, Adam. Really appreciate your viewpoint. And I'm sure the political animals among us will google Ron Paul and find out more about his non-partisan approach to politics. Our system in Canada is much younger than that of the US and Britain. We can take what's best from theirs and improve on our own. It's a work in progress! But by all means … VOTE!
The point I was making is that if we have an online voting system we can vote for someone who represents the people, not a party.
It's hard to fathom. Ron paul for examlpe in the USA was a republican. If you ask him today what he is today… he is no longer representing a party. he's now represents the people. He has a website with blogs and gets his support without using corporate money and tax payers money to run ad's. He get's his support by working for the people. The difference of course is that he dosent have the advantage like Obama to "brain wash" people by using powerfull in your face advertising. "CHANGE" was his campaign. What change? once again the people were SOLD! online voting will take out all the bull*hit.It's Like a repoter leaving mainstreem news to start his or her own website. It gives people more options to WHERE THEY GET THERE INFORMATION. Not 2 or 3 partys with no OTHER CHOICE'S. White or black? we mise well play roulette.
Thanks for joining the conversation, A.
Online voting would never even occur to me as being a priority as I actually get to vote within walking distance of my home. But I can certainly understand where young people (who often work 2-3 jobs plus try to carry a course load!) would find it difficult or a nuisance to have to get to the polls within their limited hours of operation.
Have you written to your Member of Parliament and voiced your concerns? The only way to effect change is to help make it happen.
Standing on the sidelines and making criticisms will not produce the results you are longing for. Running as a candidate, or helping to support a candidate you can believe in will help move the system in the direction you are seeking.
I believe the political system is obsolete and only designed for baby boomers that watch mainstreem news to get information. If you open your eyes to see what is happening in the USA you will see a bigger picture of the future of politics. Check out a man named Dr. Ron Paul. This man is the future of politics. Canada is not run by politicians,it's run by the banking system. You don't hear our politicians talk about a sound monetery sytem with REAL money. We need people with knowledge of economics,science,engineering ect.to run our country NOT politicians.So don't force our young generation to vote for something that was not designed for them. online voting is the only demoracy.
Hi Tammy! It will be interesting to see what happens in your riding. Let's hope for the best! With any luck, May 3rd will bring us sunshine with a trustworthy new government.
Right on, Rudi! Your guiding principles are mine. And certainly not Mr. Harper's. Having this conversation is giving me hope that there is a chance that Canada is ready for change and willing to fight for it. Bring it on!
As I see it, this election is about the very fundamentals of what makes Canada great: respect for democratic principles and Parliament, the rule of the majority with respect for minorities, open access to information, respect for freedom of speech. On the international scene, I want Canada to be respected for its commitment to justice and peace and international development.
You may guess which party leader I do not support.
Great post, Doreen! What upsets me about our system is that so many people decide their vote based purely on "strategy". They don't want the Conservatives to win, so they vote Liberal, or vice versa, without actually delving into what the parties have to say. I've always been curious what the results would be if people voted based on real research instead of following the masses or trying to do the stategic vote. Could the NDP actually win in that case? Who knows?
Of course, I'm one to talk, as I'm contemplating my own strategic vote. I'm in the Simcoe-Grey riding (yes, the one where all the Helena Guergis drama is unfolding – we have not one, but two Conservative platform candidates, because Helena is running as an Independent Conservative). This riding has been Conservative for ages and I'm fairly certain will continue to be conservative for god knows how long. Normally, I vote NDP (although interestingly, the compass placed me as a Liberal), even knowing full well that they don't have a chance in this riding. But this year it's a bit different. There's speculation that the two candidates will split the Conservative vote, and then what…? Is it possible that with enough votes, a Liberal candidate might slip through the divide? I certainly hope so. Because my only priority for this vote is getting Stephen Harper out.
Thanks, Wendy. It is indeed superb to see so many people getting passionate about the election. Please send my link to anyone you know who might be influenced by the sincere comments posted here (and the info shared in the links given.) We have an amazing community in this blog. One that I truly cherish. Hopefully, … we CAN make a difference on May 2nd.
Thrilled to see the election talk coming from so many people I have never seen publicly political before. I'm definitely a political nut — more than is good for me. I watch both the US and Canadian politics, and I am terrified that we are heading in the same direction as our broken southern neighbour. I think a Harper majority will steer us in exactly that direction.
I am also brokenhearted about our loss of respect on the world stage. Punching above our weight with peacekeeping and diplomacy is just a fond memory. I wrote an essay about that at http://saynocanada.com/2011/04/11/when-did-we-stop-being-peacekeepers/.
Nudge your friends and family. Canadians can be moved, but they don't trust the media or the politicians. If people they respect start sharing the word that we need to get out and vote, I think we will see much better turnout. I could (choke, choke) almost accept a Harper majority if the results came from an 80% voter turnout.
Welcome to the blog, Krystyna. And thanks for sharing your comments. Hopefully between us and our professional associations, we can help spark some interest before it's too late!
And thanks, Christine, for chiming in. Your terrific blog is what gave me the inspiration to write this post. You reminded me how important elections are, and how we've got to do everything in our power to get those we'd like to see in, and those we don't like … OUT.
I've answered the "Vote Compass" questions, and not too surprisingly, I lean towards the Green and NDP parties. However, neither of their candidates in this riding are known to me, or to others, so I don't think they'll get many votes. I've met and respect Michael Ignatieff. He is not a "career politician" and I think that serves him, and will serve us, well. I know, and very much respect our Liberal candidate David Remington. I've done a couple of articles on my blog about him, and the Liberal campaign, which I think is a good one. So I'll be voting Liberal.
Do the Liberals "campaign from the left and govern from the centre?" Yes–but that's ok. They are showing that they are a true alternative to the Conservatives, and they will be fiscally responsible, so that means a little more to the centre sometimes.
This election should have happened a long time ago. I was disappointed that Ignatieff et al "propped up" the gov't as much as they did. The democracy issue was the final straw, and thank heavens they shut down Parliament for an election. Stephen Harper does not have the best interests of Candadians at heart. We simply cannot trust him. He has not provided "strong, stable, government"–as he says– nor will he in the future.
I'll be writing again about this. We have 12 days to rise up. We need to get out to vote. Minority governments can work. Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton will work together. With the Liberals forming the government, and the NDP forming a strong Opposition, things will get done, and we will once again have a government we can be proud of–and not, as you said Doreen, one we have to put up with.
Thanks for giving us a chance to chat about this.
If anyone wants to check out my blog:
http://christinepeets.wordpress.com
It's called "With Humour and Hope: The Only Way to Live."
I'm so glad to see that people are getting involved in raising important issues to which the candidates seem to be giving short shrift. Arts and culture are so essential to Canada! Take a good look at the issues that matter to you and don't be afraid to ask difficult questions of the candidates.
I think it's up to writers and artists like us to ask these important questions – we are professional communicators, after all – and make our voices heard with our vote. Now is our chance to make a difference, instead of just kvetching about it!
Right on, Amanda! I totally agree with you and thank you for sharing your passionate comments with us.
Here's hoping we can help motivate people to care enough to get immersed in the issues, care who runs the show, and to get out and vote.
Right on, Roy! Thanks for getting the conversation going.
I, too, long for the days when Canada was a well-respected global force. Now, we're just merely tolerated, and that's not a good feeling. We need a Prime Minister who will be respected on the global stage, and one whom we can feel proud of. Let's hope for the best, and hope that this and other conversations help to motivate people to get out and make their votes count.
I AM a politico, Doreen. I love the excitement of shaping the systems in which we live. I am horrified by people's apathy. How can you not be interested in participating in the democratic process that brings clean water to your kitchen tap, content into your classrooms, snowplows onto your winter streets, clean camping sites into your provincial and federal parks, qualified doctors into your hospitals, skilled bureaucrats into inumerable positions of power, influence and service within systems that manage everything in Canada from housing to infrastructure to culture to immigration programs.
I feel strongly about voting, feel everyone should live up to their responsibilites as a citizen by voting, and wish that every eligible voter would ask themselves these two questions:
1. "What role do you want the state (government) to play in your life – when you're healthy? when you're sick? when your loved one is in trouble on the other side of the globe?" Do you want the state to have put in place systems that help you, support you, encourage you, rescue you? Or do you want to go it alone, always, because everyone should always be self-sufficient?
2. "Would you feel comfortable if all services in our society were privatized and run for a profit? And I mean everything from schooling to healthcare to utilitities to…the list goes on." Of course, when something is run for a profit the people involved often play third or fourth (never mind just second) fiddle to the bottom line.
I believe that government (the state) has a strong role to play in Canadian society, and MUST play a strong role to keep our country one in which every person has opportunity not only the person who is privileged with brains and money; to keep our country one that is open to immigrants and refugees who not only need our freedoms, but whose skills and contributions WE need; to keep our country one in which we can expect – every day – to have access to clean water, qualified healthcare professionals and educators….the list goes on.
Vote. Vote with your brain and your heart engaged. Do not succumb to voting for the incumbent merely because you recognize their name. Take the time to become educated and informed on the issues.
Even if you don't care abou the outcome, I sure do.
P.S. We have no interest, nor do we have any business getting into the Lybian civil war.
Whatever Uncle Sam wants, Harper seems to want and that's another nail in his political coffin.
I liked it when Canada punched above its weight in the UN. We are just backbenchers there now.
roi again
Hi Doreen,
Well, I'm in favour of a lot of what you've said. I have to admit to being a politics wonk and tend to read most of what everyone has to say. IMHO, to do less, even when committed is less than democratic.
Elections are the blacksmith's shops of democracy. We take the cold iron of the promises of the candidates, expose them to the heat of the freedom of speech and assembly and hammer them into a shape. That becomes the shaper of our democracy.
In order to exercise that most important of constitutional rights and democratic freedoms we have to speak to our candidate.
Harper does not allow us to speak to him. He lives in a 'cone of silence.'
IMHO, because I'm not allowed to speak to the man who wants to rule me I can't hammer my democracy into the shape I want it to be. And that, like I said is what democracy is all about .. exposing the man who wants to rule me to the heat of discussion.
I'm also acutely aware that Harper's own think-tank, the Fraser Institute gave him a big FAIL. Harper took $48 billion dollars that was earmarked for a stimulus program and gave it to his own ridings. He gave literally nothing to the stimulus program. And that's not my take on it … you can "read-alla-bout-it" in the Fraser Institute's own words:
http://www.fraserinstitute.org/research-news/research/display.aspx?id=15912
"The federal government has repeatedly claimed credit for Canada’s improved economic
performance in the second half of 2009. However, Statistics Canada data show that government consumption (i.e., spending) and government investment (i.e., infrastructure) played a negligible role in the economic turnaround."
A politician doesn't use $48 billion of my hard-earned tax money and use it to oil the machinery of his own political machine … not and get my vote.
I want to get back to the days when gov't was paying its bills; not running a deficit and not putting our country so deeply into the red that our grandkids are paying for a PM to oil his own political machine with money from the federal treasury. Add the $13 billion in surplus that the Liberal gov't left in the federal treasury and we're talking a whopping $61 billion dollars that man has gone through.
Little wonder he's the most spending-ist PM in Canada's history.
I'm unlikely to vote NDP. We're not a socialist country … we're a middle-of-the-road country. As for the Greens … well, they're too 'green' to be given a multi-billion dollar economy.
I'm back to voting Liberal. At least they won't cancel all funding to women's organizations and I know our healthcare is in safe hands.
Thanks for the input Doreen.
hugs
Roy Yerex