It’s hard to believe we’re only a little more than a month away from a federal election.
Just in the last two weeks we’ve been seeing some election campaign ads, money being thrown around by the Liberals to cast votes their way and other grandstanding visits by politicians in the running. The date, by the way, is Oct. 21 and many Canadians are just finding out about it since the writ has just been dropped.
The short time frame before the vote is quite strange when you think about it. Our friends down south are already into full election mode for 2020 and that doesn’t take place until November next year.
That’s the Canadian way, more low key and less hype - far less than the Americans who turn the countdown to the presidential election into a daily ritual, with even more scrutiny than usual since Donald Trump took office.
There’s been a few scandals for Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in his bid for reelection. The SNC-Lavalin affair is the most prominent and the controversy pertaining to his directions to Jody Wilson-Raybould.
But it doesn’t seem to have made a significant impression on Canadians that would result in Trudeau being ousted immediately. No, he’s very much still in the race and his Liberals are running neck-and-neck with the Conservatives.
The local Cowichan-Malahat-Langford riding could prove to be extremely interesting. There’s always great debate about whether to vote for the person or the party.
There aren’t too many people who can find any fault with current MP Alistair MacGregor, whether you’re an NDP supporter or not. The NDP will clearly not be forming the next government so his reelection will, of course, mean a backbencher position.
But he’s done some great work and will surely continue if he gets another four years. The Conservatives’ Alana DeLong, Blair Herbert of the Liberals and former Cowichan Tribes’ chief Lydia Hwitsum running for the Greens will be hoping to cash in on any potential voter uncertainty.
The big thing is still getting people out to vote. This will be an important election (aren’t they all?) and it’s sad less than 50 per cent of the population determines the outcome.