Our candidates deserve better than 65% turn out

Next Tuesday, as Canadians, we choose who will govern us for the next few years, and how the government of Canada will be shaped. For the past 30 months the Conservatives under Stephen Harper have governed with a minority of members. Prior to that the Liberal party under the leadership of Paul Martin governed with a minority for 18 months.
From September 1984 through to December 2004, firstly Brian Mulroney and then Jean Chretien lead the country with majority governments.
Governing from a minority position is much different than governing the nation from a majority position. A leader in a minority government must make accommodations with the other parties to see legislation passed. Failure to do so will result in much more frequent elections as the government falls on confidence of the house.
In the last election fewer than 65% of Canadians cast ballots. It is a number that indicates that over 1/3rd of Canadians has no confidence in any party. It is also an indication that many feel that nothing will change regardless of who is elected.
From a high of 75.3% in 1988 to a low of 64.7% in the last federal election, the numbers show that Canadians are poor at exercising our right. Generation Y and youths 18-24 have the poorest voting records choosing to stay away from the polls. Their parents and grandparents are the most loyal voters.
Historically, Canadians prior to 1980 had average voter turnouts exceeding 75%.
Australia with its compulsory voting requirement requires everyone to vote. In Australia’s election of this year, over 95% of the citizens of that country cast their ballots. The electorate really does choose their government. In Australia, law mandates voting. Failure to vote creates penalties.
Creating a government comes down to 308 separate elections across Canada. In our country, traditionally the party with the most seats forms the government. In other countries, with many political parties, the government is often sewn together as a coalition.
As Canadians we vote for our own reasons.
Some people vote for a candidate in their riding while others will vote for a party.
There are no right answers in choosing how we will vote.
When we cast our ballots, we deliver several messages. We evaluate the sitting member and pass judgment on whether or not they have represented our riding well to Ottawa. We pass judgment on the national parties through their local representatives. We may affirm that the local candidate has performed well for the riding and re-elect that person.
We may determine that the governing party has lost contact with voters and their needs, and choose to change the government by electing a local candidate who represents the party that we feel should be governing Canada.
Within the Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding, we have four very good candidates vying for the seat. Each in debate and before the people has shown that they are articulate and concerned about the riding, its people and issues. Our four candidates come from varied backgrounds. They each bring different strengths.
Our candidates deserve better than a 65% turn out at the polls. Even going to the polls and declining to vote is still casting a ballot. On Tuesday, I ask you to cast your ballot.
It will make a difference.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher