To get ready for the October 21 election, Penny and I watched the federal leaders’ debate on CBC TV on Monday. The big takeaway for me was how well the Green Party’s Elizabeth May did.
That she was head and shoulders above the other five leaders, both in terms of knowledge and detailed policy proposals, came through loud and clear. Known to be very hard-working, she’s been acknowledged by her fellow MPs as the best parliamentarian and the hardest-working one, something seconded by the Hill Times — the independent weekly in Ottawa that covers parliament, which has honoured her with similar accolades over the years she’s held office.
What I found surprising, though, was the post-debate analysis. Very little, if any, commentary was about Elizabeth May. It was almost as though she’d been absent from the debate when, in fact, she was its most effective participant!
The NDP’s Jagmeet Singh also performed very well, so I rank him second. He was, by far, the most likeable leader on stage that night. From my experience in politics at Vancouver City Hall and Parks Board after being elected four times, the likeability factor is a complicated thing, but it usually plays out well at the voting booth.
For my taste, the Conservatives’ Andrew Scheer, was far too hostile and argumentative. He was the very opposite of Jagmeet Singh — a real turn-off.
To see what impact, if any, Monday’s and Thursday’s French language debates will have on the polls, don’t forget to check out my favourite source — Eric Grenier’s Poll Tracker.
Election day — Monday, October 21 — is less than two weeks away. In the days ahead, especially with the biggest crisis our whole planet has ever faced looming over us — our radically changing clime — I urge you to inform yourself as much as you can about who to vote for. Note that even the latest issue of the international scientific journal, Nature, is urging Canadians to choose a prime minister who will commit to a sustainable future.
Throughout the Vancouver area, every federal riding is having all-candidates meetings or town halls, hosted by various groups from the LGBTQ community to the Canadian Council of Churches. The Vancouver Courier has a great election map embedded with the voting results from the 2015 election for each major party, so you can figure out which riding you live in, how it voted last time, and then go from there.
Whether you’re a new Canadian, or a lifelong one, voting is a privilege and it’s easy to do. For all the info you need, just go to Elections Canada’s Voter Information Service or phone 1-800-463-6868. The service is free, non-partisan and has everything you need to get out and vote. If you didn’t get your voter information card, click here.
Advance polls will be held Friday, October 11 through to Monday, October 14. The Elections Canada link, above, will tell you where they are in addition to the regular polls on election day, Monday, October 21.
However you do it, don’t forget to get out and vote!
Daily atmospheric CO2 [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]
Latest daily total (Oct. 10 2019): 408.78 ppm
One year ago (Oct. 10 2018): 405.52 ppm
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