Congratulations to Peace River – Westlock’s first Member of Parliament, Arnold Viersen.
In last week’s issue Viersen congratulated his opponents for representing their parties and themselves, honourably.
The Barrhead Leader would also like to add its appreciation to all the candidates for their efforts, successful or not, who ran for a seat anywhere in the country.
We would also like to congratulate the voters, across the country, who voted in numbers not seen in more than 20 years.
On Monday, Oct. 19, 68.5 per cent of eligible voters decided to take part in the democratic process, a marked improvement over the last two federal elections. In 2011, 61.1 per cent of voters cast their ballots and in 2008 the number was even worse at 58.8 per cent.
Voters showed up in greater numbers than in 2011 in every province and territory.
This is despite tighter rules making it more difficult for Canadian expats to vote, new ID requirements at polling stations, and reports that two polling stations in First Nation communities ran out of ballots.
There was also a concern that voters in B.C. may have been less motivated to vote due to a change in another Elections Canada rule. For the first time in history, results were not blacked out meaning British Columbia voters were able to see how Atlantic Canada voted, while the polls were still open.
The largest increase in voting was seen in Nunavut, with more than a 16-point increase (from a low of 45.7 per cent in 2011) and Alberta, where participation rose from 55.8 per cent to 69.11 per cent this year.
Prince Edward Island, which always has high turnouts, was again the place with the highest voting rate – 77.42 per cent – while Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest voter participation, with 61.5 per cent.
Admittedly, while the numbers are a marked improvement, they are not good enough.
Before the 1993 election, in Canadian federal elections it was a rare to have the number of people drop below 70 per cent. Perhaps it is time for Canada to start seriously thinking about implementing compulsory voting. Currently 23 countries in the world have some form of mandatory voting, the most famous being Australia.
If you are an eligible voter in Australia and do not vote the Australia Electoral Commission will send a letter asking the offender to provide a valid reason for failing to vote or pay a $20 penalty. Since the legislation was enacted in 1924, the percentage of people who vote in Australia has hovered between 94 to 96 per cent.
Canada doesn’t require much to be a citizen. However, participating in our democratic process should be one of them. And if they don’t perhaps the government should consider making it mandatory.
