So, we voted to be divided again… when we didn’t want to vote, anyway
This was a weird election. Depending on who you ask, they might not have even realized there was a campaign happening.
Nevertheless, despite protests from all areas of the country, Canadians went to the polls and voted for, well, the same thing we just had a day before: a Trudeau minority government.
The trouble with this rushed campaign (during a pandemic) was that voters didn’t care about politics. Canadians had the expectation that every person elected into office would continue busting their ass to help fellow Canucks get through the damn virus.
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That’s all that mattered. That’s all that mattered on election day, that’s all that mattered last month, that’s all that mattered a year ago.
It doesn’t matter if they voted red or blue or orange or green, (or Quebec), Canadians wanted — and still want — a government that’ll get shit done.
During the debates we saw mudslinging and dancing around answers, as per usual. I’ve said for years that if candidates would use their time talking about themselves and their own platform, and not bitching about others like they’re on a date on The Bachelor trash talking the competition, us voters would be more inclined to pay attention.
Sure, shame on us if we tune out and throw away a vote, or don’t vote at all, but give us something worth voting for.
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Many voters consider their vote going to the least worst candidate. The trouble with a federal election in Canada is that we don’t technically cast a vote for the leader, we vote for somebody local. That can work against either candidate.
For example, if a voter is 100 per cent against Justin Trudeau and what he stands for, does the Liberal candidate in their riding still get the vote? On the flip side, a voter might love Trudeau but absolutely hate the candidate in their neighbourhood. Do they still cast a vote for that candidate to support Trudeau or is their vote hyper-local and focused on their own community?
My Conservative MP has a reputation of ignoring constituent emails, calls and tweets — mine included. Her Facebook campaign ads were filled with comments from people in the community calling her out for being MIA while on the public dime. (UPDATE: She was re-elected.)
Also, I disagree with the way Trudeau handled the pandemic and insisted I be detained in a hotel when I returned to Canada, so the local candidate didn’t get my vote because I got their $6,300 fine (that I still haven’t paid, by the way).
As for the NDP, I had positive interactions with Jagmeet Singh earlier this year when he appeared on my syndicated radio shows, however the national PR team ignored all of my correspondence during the campaign when I requested basic information. In my view, that gives the party a black eye because if they can’t make time to answer a simple query during a campaign, they sure as hell don’t get my vote.
These issues were on my mind as I cast a ballot on Monday. It seemed like a lose-lose-lose situation for my neighbourhood. Nevertheless, I still did my part and voted. Did it make a difference? Truthfully, as we head into another minority government, I’m not sure much of the voting public feels this outcome made a difference in the grand scheme of things.
So, early Monday night when it was announced we were headed for another Trudeau government, the non-Liberal supporters were banking on the minority scenario coming into play. For the Liberal supporters, they waited to see if it would be a majority. Either way, it was a country divided yet again.
What an underwhelming election. Money well spent, my fellow Canadians. Let’s head into Tuesday the same way we left Monday: Still wondering what the fuck this was all about.
