Chilliwack Votes: Question #5

The initiative Chilliwack Votes has been asking the six Chilliwack-Hope candidates a series of weekly questions about various issues in the lead-up to the October 19th federal election.  They have allowed us to post the candidates responses here.  Here is Question #5.

IN THE LAST FEDERAL ELECTION LESS THAN 60% OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAST A BALLOT IN CHILLIWACK – FRASER CANYON. THIS LACK OF ENGAGEMENT IS OFTEN COUPLED WITH THE SENTIMENT THAT AN INDIVIDUAL’S VOTE DOESN’T COUNT. HOW DO YOU AS A CANDIDATE ENCOURAGE THESE ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO ENGAGE? AND HOW WOULD YOU AS MP REFORM OR DEFEND OUR CURRENT DEMOCRATIC ELECTORAL PROCESS?

Thomas Cheney (Green Party)

The high level of voter disengagement, more than anything else, is a symptom of an electoral system that does not fairly count votes. In the old Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon riding, 40% of the votes went to parties other than the Conservatives. However, these voters have received effectively no representation. To solve this, we need proportional representation to ensure that people’s votes count towards electing like-minded representatives. Form letters filled with party talking points and voices on constituency office answering machines is not representation.
In terms of engaging non-voters, what I can say is that voting sends a message and the squeaky wheel gets the grease. For example, youth vote in far fewer numbers than seniors. It is any surprise that post-secondary education has been dramatically cut in contrast to health care? Power belongs to the people who show up.
The second problem is that MPs are increasingly powerless to do their job of representing constituents. The real decisions are made by the party leaders. This is unacceptable and only increases citizens’ apathy towards the political process. That is why more free votes by MPs are so important. The Green Party believes that Member of Parliament’s job is to represent their constituents and will not whip votes. MPs should not be merely the party leader’s trained seals.

Louis De Jaeger (Liberal)

Many Canadians are not on the voters list when they turn 18; that needs to change. We will work with interested provinces and territories, and support Elections Canada to register young Canadians as a part of their high school curriculum. Liberals will support Elections Canada in proactively registering Canadians from groups that historically have lower voter turnout, such as students and Indigenous Canadians.
Elections are the cornerstone of representative democracy. I believe it is vital that we make our electoral system more civil and ideas-based, rather than an overly partisan process that leaves out most Canadians. The Conservatives have changed our election laws to make it harder for Canadians to vote, easier for parties to cheat, and more difficult to catch rule breakers.
A Liberal government will change course, we will restore the integrity of our electoral process and improve the fairness of our elections.
As part of a national engagement process, we are committed to ensuring 2015 is the last election conducted under first-past-the-post voting system.
Reform measures such as ranked ballots, proportional representation, mandatory voting, and online voting are fully and fairly studied and considered. We will repeal the anti-democratic elements of the Fair Elections Act and scrap the Citizens Voting Act both were designed to make it more difficult for Canadians to vote. We will remove the muzzle on the Chief Electoral Officer and ensure Elections Canada has the tools and mandate to encourage more Canadians to vote.

Alexander Johnson (Libertarian)

I think the idea is that people are comfortable with life – we live a very high quality, comparative to the world. We aren’t so upset that we physically have to do something but we are distraught enough to share a meme or two. I think that Canadian citizens aren’t interested in politics because they don’t see alternative options. They are given pizza, which has a lot of variety but is the same food. Whether you ask them to pick pepperoni or ham and pineapple, it’s still pizza. I think we have gotten fed to the brim with this doughy product and we want another choice. It doesn’t mean we will pick it, but we want to hear about soups and fruits and hamburgers. We want that option. The Libertarian Party of Canada is dedicated to removing Federal bureaucracy and allowing Canadians from all different corners to work together with their Municipal and Provincial Governments to create the kind of society they want to live in. A non vote is powerful but a vote for a fringe party, not just the Libertarian Party of Canada, is greater. Like the arrival of the Green Party, the more diverse choices we have comes with more ability to hear alternative ideas. Some good, some bad, but at least they aren’t status quo. I would vote to remove the Senate; any unelected officials who have the ability to make decisions for people of any country and play with their stolen tax money rubs me in an extremely wrong way.

Seonaigh Macpherson (NDP)

The first order of business is to ensure that everyone’s vote counts. That’s why I’m proud of Tom Mulcair’s commitment to introducing proportional representation in Canada.
As a New Democrat, I’m committed to growing democracy by encouraging voting, consulting with the people, and representing their interests in Ottawa. In contrast, Stephen Harper’s autocratic style muzzles his MPs, while changes to the Elections Act make it harder for some citizens to vote – a sad step in the wrong direction.
Democracy is about more than just voting; it’s about participating in community and engaging the people. Candidates need to inspire voters. I’ve written blogs and letters and addressed organizations. I’ve been going door-to-door since last December, visiting neighbourhoods throughout Chilliwack-Hope to understand the diverse interests of voters. I consult community groups and their leaders, and I visit schools to encourage students to think about the democratic process at an early age.

Dorothy-Jean O’Donnell (Marxist-Leninist)

The largest voting  bloc in Canada is the non-voter. They do not need to be insulted or humiliated. Some attempt is needed to appreciate the depth of alienation from the political process they experience. Judging from the results of the 2011 election when the Harper Conservatives got a “majority” when most Canadians voted against them, the non-voter can be forgiven for the observation that their vote doesn’t count. But what to do? We say everyone should get active to lay their claims, put forward their demands and fight to occupy the space for change. We need democratic renewal of the political process to empower Canadians.

Mark Strahl (Conservative) 

Whether it’s through parents modeling the importance of voting to their children, encouraging our family and friends to vote, or governments providing more voting opportunities and ensuring that voters have all of the information they need to cast a ballot, we all have a role to play in increasing voter turnout.
To encourage more Canadians to vote, our Conservative government brought forward a number of reforms including: an additional advanced voting day and more advertising of basic voting information like: where, when and what ID to bring when you vote. We are also requiring Elections Canada to inform disabled voters of the extra tools available to help them vote.
To ensure every British Columbian vote counts, thanks to our government, BC has six additional seats in the House of Commons after this election to more closely represent the province’s share of Canada’s population. Unfortunately, the NDP and Liberals opposed this.

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