Today the writ was dropped and Canada is not in the midst of the 2025 election. Sometimes this is called a “general election” but in reality it is three hundred and thirty eights (338) individual elections that happen on the same day.
To safe guard out democracy it is the responsibility of all citizens to register to vote. And for the next few weeks to actively participate within your constituency to determine how you will vote, either advance or on election day. This will require some effort on your part and you will be tempted to take the lazy way out by watching TV or listening to radio or tuning in to your preferred information sources. However, to save our democracy it will be vital for you to do everything in your power to assure that the candidates in your riding interact with you and demonstrate to you why they are qualified and should be considered to have your support (your vote) to take on the position ($203,000.00) per year for the next four years.
On his way to the largest Progressive Conservative victory of the time, John Diefenbaker told his ground troops in a southern Alberta riding, “You can’t vote for me. No one in this riding can. My job is not to convince these people to vote for me. Our job, yours and mine, is to show these voters our candidate is worthy to be an integral part of the government of Canada for the next four years.”
What to watch for between now and the time you vote?
First, determine what is news and what is infotainment. True news is worthy of your attention. Infotainment will entertain, talking heads have become the norm on the 24 hour stations that advertise themselves as news. But infotainment is rarely news and even less often is it actually newsworthy.
Second, polls are not news. They are simply a data analysis of gossip in response to questions that may or may not be important. Polls should never replace your interaction with the candidates in your riding as a way of determining how you will vote.
Third, who are the parties talking about? In previous elections the vast majority of the political advertising has focused on the party leaders. Asking people to vote for them and the party. Remember, you can only vote for candidates certified in your riding. Whoever, wins in your constituency will be responsible to represent you no matter who you voted for. Their first loyalty should be to you and the riding, not the party and power.
Fourth, don’t be distracted by the money. All the parties will waste more of it than you can even comprehend. They can only buy your vote is you choose to forget that you are the decision maker in how you mark you ballot.
Firth, remember who will form the next government. The truth is this has already been decided. Our new government will comprise the 338 members who are elected at the end of April. The new government will not be the party with the most seats, although that party will want you to believe it. All elected members are part of the government and whoever is given the task of leading parliament should make a sacred commitment to organize the workings of the house to assure all 338 voices are heard and actively engaged in making our country the place we all love and cherish.
There is be enough infotainment over the next five weeks to cause you to laugh and cry. But don’t let it distract you from making the candidates in your riding respond to you so you can make a wise choice.
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