Recently in British Columbia Category

For the past few weeks, a team of citizen bloggers has been capturing the conversations in their communities during this election campaign -- and keeping us informed of what's really resonating with Canadians. Now that the election is over, the Your Take bloggers have been sending in their final posts and giving us a sense of how everything played out in their area. The following are some of the entries we'd like to highlight.   

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

Twitter was abuzz in Greater Victoria on election day. Post-election commentary showed surprise and discontent. It seems many had expected a minority Conservative government. Given the local results, disappointment with the national outcome is understandable: for our three MPs, Greater Victoria elected two New Democrats and a Green.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

CBC citizen blogger Kim Nayyer shares this video montage, in the hope it will inspire all of us to get out to the polls and vote on May 2.

CBC citizen blogger Louise Wallace talks about the election campaign in Salmon Arm, B.C., and the importance of getting out to vote.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria)

When I was in Vancouver recently, I had a chance to discuss election issues with my friend Allison over brunch. One of her main concerns is income security. Allison is single, well-educated and has a graduate degree in business. She lives a rather modest lifestyle in downtown Vancouver and supplements her full-time job at a small company with part-time employment. 

The CBC has assembled a team of more than 30 citizen bloggers from across the country to help keep you informed of what real Canadians are saying about this election. The following are some entries we'd like to highlight today.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

For the most part, I've been receiving input and content for this blog from people I know or talk to from time to time, like our barber, or Frank from the coffee shop. Notable exceptions have been the community members who attended our large all-candidates forum last week. Another exception is a Greater Victoria local I met on Twitter after he started reading my Your Take blog. I first knew him as FootButterGuy, but during the course of a couple of conversations I learned more.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

In the last days of the election campaign, my personal thoughts turn to the 35,000 people in this riding who did not vote in the previous election.  

Please. Get out and vote. A non-vote is an endorsement of the status quo and if nothing else, it's loud and clear here in the Shuswap that few, if any, are happy with that.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

Schoolyard hockey can yield some great political discussions among parents. I had an interesting conversation with Dave Cameron about the campaign, voting tendencies and the Canadian electoral system generally.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

On Friday I decided I'm no longer undecided. In my riding and for this election, anyway.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

I was in a packed house at an all-candidates forum in my riding last night. I was able to get a great view of both the standing room-only crowd and the panel of candidates. The forum spanned an hour-and-a- half, and most every minute of that time was put to good use.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

Less than 24 hours after issuing my one paragraph challenge, I'm delighted to report that we posted 15 entries and had over 125 visitors to our local blog. I expect I'll see more in the coming days as the word gets around.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

I took a break from CBC News Network this Sunday morning to check in on the Food Network, my other favourite channel. It occurred to me as I was watching Canada's Top Chef that we too, the Canadian electorate, are choosing our Next Chef (the French word for leader).

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

Before my first post I talked to a few people to try to get a sense of the issues in Victoria and the level of engagement in this election. I listed some of the issues that I've been hearing about. In the comments to that first post, affordable housing or a national housing strategy were also mentioned, the idea being that these could lead to more money being available for education and jobs.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

I have a friendly light-hearted approach to most things in life. It's my nature. But after some very sobering election discussions with members of this community, I'm feeling the harsh reality of the roles and responsibilities of the citizen blogger. And to be frank, it's left me a bit frightened. As a community, we've got some serious issues to consider.

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

Unfortunately I have yet to watch the French-language debate. Though I've been following commentary and Twitter discussions, I won't be able to weigh in on whether Muguette really was the clear winner until I watch the recording at home or on the web. Unfortunately for me, when it comes to French-language debates, a Mellencamp concert in Vancouver does not have the preemptive power of a Habs playoff game.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

The Wednesday night debate reminded me of the Tuesday night debate ... except with jazz hands. 

The Tuesday night debate I could listen to. The Wednesday night debate on the other hand, I had to watch. It's all in the hands. More passionate. Less robotic and quite a bit louder. "Formidable!"

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)
Note: Entry received April 13

In my last post I asked whether people watched the English debate and, if so, what they thought about it. Highlights? Low points? Today I'll recap a bit of reaction and also look for more about the French debate

By Kim Nayyer (Victoria, B.C.)

When I moved to Victoria from Toronto in mid-2009, the greetings I received seemed to range from "welcome to paradise" to "doesn't it feel great to breathe clean air?" Without question, it's a beautiful place, on the tip of large island surrounded by smaller ones. Rarely too hot or too cold, and with our fair share of sunshine, it's a very bikable and walkable city in many areas.

By Louise Wallace (Salmon Arm, B.C.)

When you tell someone you live in Salmon Arm, you usually get a funny look. Salmon what? Arm where? To which you dutifully respond "Salmon, like the fish. Arm, like the body part." That seems to help. "Where's that?" they ask next, to which you dutifully respond "about half-way between Vancouver and Calgary on the Trans Canada Highway, just an hour or so north of Kelowna."

CBC News has assembled a team of citizen bloggers and CBC staff to capture the conversations happening in communities across the country during the federal election. We'll be working together to tell you what Canadians are really saying.