As a member of the younger generation, I fall into the category of those who never really saw the importance of voting in an election. Many of us believe that politics is an old man’s game, and that our choices do not matter because what is promised during a campaign is rarely seen through to fruition, at least not in a tangible way. I am, however, getting older myself and I am beginning to see what all of the fuss is about. I want to put down some roots and start a family one of these days, and I want to know that my concerns will be addressed, whether it is on a municipal, provincial or federal level.
In short, I want something I can believe in.
A simple Google search can bring any of the party platforms to your attention, and I have spent a lot of time reading through all of the material there, taking note of the major points and writing down questions I will be asking candidates, if the floor does not do it for me, when they come to Barrhead on September 30, but I urge everyone who reads this to do some research of their own.
One of the key points from all the parties is a sustainable economy and the creation of middle-class jobs, and I agree that this is important, especially in the face of a national recession as well as a global financial crisis, but there is one aspect that seems to be overlooked and that is the issue of youth unemployment.
When I graduated, I knew I was not going to have an easy time getting a start in my field – it is a highly competitive field, and most employers only want those with experience, so instead of griping about it, I went the entrepreneurial way and maintained my own publication for nearly four years before I came to Barrhead.
I’m not griping, I just think education and job-placement opportunities should be higher up on the necessities list than giving tax exemptions to the rich or superfluous items added to a community agenda.
I think it is a good idea to grow small businesses too, but the focus should be on getting Canadians jobs and not out-sourcing those employment opportunities, so there should be incentive programs to hire locals instead.
I understand the problems businesses face in getting positions filled that nobody wants, but maybe the solution is a life-sustainable wage rather than most of us just barely surviving.
Affordable housing, refurbishing defunct public transit systems and national defence are just as important to me however, and I would like to see one of the parties with their name in the ring make me a believer.
A lot of information is available online, specifically at www.electionalmanac.ca, as well as at individual party websites, and I myself, am looking forward to the debates and the election.
