Letters - Election Day
June 28-9, 2004
John Paupst
I don't recall such excitement over election results. Maybe the notion
of a minority government is a good thing for the country if it engages
so many people.
George Fogorasi
A Zen election: I'm delighted and disgusted, relieved and revolted. The
system is broken and corrupt, yet reflects the NDP-Liberal coalition Canadians
want. It's time for proportional representation.
Colin Cahill
In the words of the late great commentator Nick Auf Der Maur, "It's a
popular uprising for the status quo." This is the result that Canada wanted,
let's make it work and build some stability.
Randy Dyck
I feel that if the people of Ontario want to re-elect a Liberal government,
then they should be solely responsible for any deficit that Liberal government
incurs.
Alan Kriss
Taking a longer-term view of things, all the parties and their leaders
should be congratulated.
Given the mess that was left behind by the Jean Chrétien and his government,
the new Liberal government and leader really had a challenge ahead of
them to maintain power. The Conservative party gained tremendous support,
the Bloc swept up Quebec, the NDP doubled their support and the Green
party got over 4 per cent of the popular vote.
We can be thankful that we are moving on from where we were headed in
the past, and that lots of voices will be heard in Parliament going forward.
Peter Abbruzzese
As I think about the outcome of this election, I can't help but think
back a few years to when my wife and I went to see the movie Titanic.
As we stood in line, I couldn't help but think, "No matter how good
or bad this movie is, the ending isn't going to be pretty."
V. Callinan
The group that really lost this election is the pollsters. Why didn't
[they] see these election results coming? BECAUSE WE'RE LYING TO THEM!
We're so sick of the automated-dialing phone calls that we're deliberately
skewing the results. And we're getting so good at it they don't even know.
Carter Stirling
Being young and not able to vote, I see minority government as an opportunity
for Canada to restructure and analyze each party and what they can bring
forward. This will be an interesting couple of years, filled with many
ways for people across Canada to express their views on Canadian policy
and status.
Chris Pollitt
I'm very curious to find out what the voter turnout was for this election
as compared to the last one.
Steven Thompson
It's high time for electoral reform in Canada. One party on the far right
and the rest crowding out the center/left doesn't exactly give a representative
government. I'd like to hear a greater diversity of voices.
Tony Lavia
Whoever wins, whatever you do … do NOT under any circumstances even think
about changing your medical system.
As a Canadian living in the U.S., I can tell you without any reservation:
It is hell here. And I am one of the middle classes that can afford insurance.
Imagine!
Deborah Selinger
The Greens have made historic gains in popular vote share! List the Greens
separately for this, not lumped in with all the "other", please! Even
if nary a seat goes Green, show us that they (alone of the secondary parties)
have met the 2 per cent share requisite for federal funding of $1.75/vote
- that will be huge news!
John Pokorny
Why no numbers of spoiled ballots being reported?
Mary Giles
I was upset to hear Scott Brison's speech when he was re-elected. He was
supposed to be speaking to his constituency, but he seemed to be campaigning
to the rest of the country on behalf of the Liberal party. Why can't we
have a system where nothing is revealed until the following day? That
would be fair to everyone.
Bonnie Petersen
I have just come home from having voted. Here in Halifax you are not required
to show ID to vote if you bring your voting card. Since I had not been
sent a voting card at my current address, I brought ID. When I arrived
at the polling station, I was told that someone had already come in and
voted under my name. They searched through the pile of voter's cards,
and there was my card - addressed to the wrong apartment in my building.
It was as easy as that. Someone had pretended to be me and used my right
to vote.
I had to make two oaths and was then allowed to vote. Again, in a way.
In fact, I had been sent another voting card to my old address as well,
which I could have easily used to vote in that riding. My name was used
to vote once and could have voted three times. There are many aspects
to my outrage at this experience. In a close election, this type of situation
becomes more crucial, and I know my story is just one of many. It's all
a mad joke. The whole political situation here in Canada needs a complete
overhaul, but at the very least - regardless of the outcome of this election
- we need to fix this voting system before we have a Florida situation
of our own.
Bev
I find it frustrating to hear people say they voted for a certain party
not because they believed in the candidates, but because they didn't want
another party to win. To me this is not only a waste of a vote, but it
clearly makes the statement that one's views aren't worth standing up
for. This is of particular frustration to me, as I happen to live with
someone who did just this - I believe it's a sell out. One almost has
to wonder how different the results would have been in this election if
people had the courage to vote FOR someone they believed in, rather than
AGAINST someone they didn't.
Ken Peterson
I recently turned 18 and so I cast my first vote in an election about
two hours ago. I was still partially undecided as I hid behind the little
cardboard shield. I knew which party I WASN'T voting for; that was the
easiest part.
I was torn between a strategic vote for a party that I would like in
power, or a vote for the party that I would prefer to be in power but
that would have more than likely only helped the fortunes of the party
which I am hoping will not win this election. Unfortunately, we are at
the mercy of an outdated and awkward pluralist system, so I was forced
to make the strategic vote.
I think many Canadians made similar decisions, voting for the lesser
of two evils rather than their party of choice. I think that a system
of even partial proportional representation would give an enormous boost
to the popular vote and representation of smaller parties whose support
is diluted by strategic voting in close elections like this one.
It may also help with voter turnout, as it will eliminate the possibility
of a truly wasted vote. I hope that I live to see a change in the electoral
structure of this country before I cast my last ballot, because I feel
that I was unable to cast my first the way I wanted to.
Joel Scott
The lift of the blackout is nation building - fascinating human drama
"as it happens" from coast to coast to coast! Thumbs up for this new election
goodie!
Bernard Low
I am enjoying listening to the results as they unfold, but I find the
continuing campaigning by your interviewees inappropriate.
Clarice Baker
Around 8:40 this morning I stopped my van in the parking lot of the local
polling station to allow a frail, elderly woman to make it over the crosswalk
to her vehicle. It took two sturdy helpers plus a walker to enable her
to do this. This gutsy lady obviously thought it important to vote, and
she surely makes those able-bodied types who can't be bothered to do so
look awfully feeble.
June 28, 2004
G. Chan
As an immigrant in Canada for over 20 years, I have not seen an election
as politically exciting as this one today. In my opinion, this scenario
represents a dilemma of politics as well as the fate of our country. No
matter which party forms the government, Canada must face its challenges
of change. It is well noted.
Bruce Davies
My name is Bruce Davies and I am from Calgary.
I threw my Elections Canada registration card away the day I received
it in the mail.
I have voted every time at all levels of government since I arrived
in Canada in 1972.
This time I had decided that I had had enough and wasn't even going to
vote as my form of protest.
I was sick of being a Liberal in Alberta and, in particular, disgusted
with the performance of Paul Martin since he has been prime minister.
I knew there was no way I could ever vote for a party lead by Steven
Harper.
However, today, while driving by the polling station in my neighborhood
I felt the urge to vote. While the attendants were checking my ID, I told
them that at least this way I am voting like I always have, and maybe
I'll just spoil the ballot.
"I am still participating and protesting my disgust at the same time,"
I said. We all laughed.
I got to the voting cubicle and thought, "That's a great idea" (amazed
at what just pops out of my head at times).
When dropping my ballot into the box they asked, "Did you vote for them
all?"
"I most certainly did," I replied.
I left the station a happy camper - I mean voter.
Kevin Richard
Get out and vote. People died so that you could have this privilege today.
Your vote counts. If you don't vote, don't complain.
Linda Bawn
I believe that any government that gets elected, and breaks an election
promise should be fined $500,000 and be on a probation period.
Pamela Lawson
I only have one thing to say. I have been watching very closely all the
events to do with this election. We as Canadians have to be very sure
when we vote today. Change can be really good for us, or it could be one
of the worst mistakes we have ever made. I think we should be sure when
we vote that we are not voting with emotions. We get what we vote for
and we have to live with this, so we need to vote with our heads, not
our hearts.
Salam Nahzat
No matter who wins this election, the end result will be the same: A worsening
Canadian economy that will further widen the gap between the poor and
the rich. It is not about what politicians promise that matters today,
it's about how they stand the test of time tomorrow. There can never be
a better Canada except through a revolution. Elections - they're all about
empty promises.
Gail Matheson
You would be surprised how difficult it can be to sign up to vote. I recently
moved from one part of the city to another, and contacted Elections Canada
because I did not receive my voter card. The 1-800 number connected me
with a Winnipeg number. The woman there told me to come by their office
to register, and gave me the hours. They could not work from my previous
registration, since I was now in a different district.
I went down today, only to find out that I had to be there by 6 p.m.
(I came at 7 p.m.) because it was the last day to register at Elections
Canada. When I indicated to the staff that for a country that is struggling
to get voter interest, they sure did not make it easy, I was told I should
have called to find out the hours!
In the end, I will go to my polling station and hopefully be able to
vote in the election. If they were a business, that level of customer
service would not be tolerated. I suppose I should not be surprised, since
service is not currently part of anybody's platform, is it?
Brian D.
I was hoping that someone could clarify something for me. Since the beginning
of the election the leaders of the parties continuously make a saddening
reference. When they address the nation it is in this manner, "Canadians
and Quebecers." I don't understand this or support it at all. Quebec is
part of Canada and hence [is made up of] Canadians, it's as simple as
that. If they are addressing the issue of bilingualism then the use of
francophone versus anglophone makes perfect sense. I am pro-bilingualism
and pro-Quebec but they are just as Canadian as anyone else. The leaders
separating Quebec when referring to Canada … is appalling. I am hoping
that someone can clarify the reasoning as to why this segregative favouritism
exists. Quebecers voted to be Canadian and should be treated as such.
Heather Morgan
We are frequently reminded of the lack of voter turnout of 18-24 year
olds. As a 24-year-old myself, who studied political science in university,
it doesn't surprise me in the slightest that people in my age group don't
vote - nobody is willing to work for our vote. In fact, I would go so
far as to say that many communities in our riding at least (Mississauga
West) have been completely ignored by anyone other than flyers. Not once
in any campaign since I have been of voting age have I had the opportunity
to welcome a politician or their supporters at my door. Not once have
I had the opportunity [to meet with them] to discuss their views, or how
they will better look after my needs as a voter. Perhaps we need to be
a bit more proactive in engaging our communities in the political discussion.
I know it would have had a significant effect on my interest in voting
if someone had come to explain to me why he/she was better - rather than
sending me a glossy card telling me why the other guy/gal was such a poor
choice.
I have every intention of going to vote today - the political process
is important - but I still don't have any sense of the true character
of those running in my riding - and I only know the names of two of them!
Alexandra Diebel
I was wondering about the liquor laws on election day. I thought that
you couldn't serve alcohol today, but I see the liquor stores are open
... Was there ever a law against serving alcohol on election day? When
was it revoked? Thank you!
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