If you are Canadian, you should vote in the Canadian election next Monday January 23rd! I practiced my democractic right to vote in the advanced polls today. How do I feel about the various parties and candidates? Who did I vote for? Do I wish to sway votes with this post? C’mon, we’re all adults! You can decide for yourself. I just want to share my perspectives on the parties and candidates in this election. Let’s take a look at the candidates, party platforms and issues!

Steven Harper & The Conservatives
Let’s start with Mr. Congeniality. Last year, some people said he lost because he was robot-like and seem disconnected from humanity. Others were scared by his “hidden agenda” to take away gay & lesbian rights or his stance on the invasion of Iraq. This time around, everything’s changed! He is portrayed as the friendly person who relates to the common people. The Conservatives have been very policy oriented this time around, promising many tax cuts and many services. Personally, I am much more comfortable with Mr. Harper. I feel he is a fair and balanced leader and will make a great Prime Minister! However, I cannot say I feel the same for his party, or for the people who will backbench him. They are full of people with such intolerance for anybody not of the Canadian caucasian majority. Conservatives remain conservative on the definition of who gets those rights. I did not vote Conservatives because of the party members, not because of Steven Harper.

Jack Layton & The NDP
Mr. Informercial rehearses and delivers his party by-line better than any of the leaders. There’s a reason why the NDP have never been given the mandate to rule. Always a bridesmaid, never the bride! The NDP always functions better when they are in opposition. Many times they have supported a minority government, and they have fared admirably as the opposition as well. Why will they never get the mandate to govern? Because the NDP are like teenagers, or hippies in an adult world. Am I simplifying things a little bit? I’m sure you will say I simplified a lot! Fair enough! The NDP has always put social/environmental issues ahead of national/economical concerns of a nation. They’re like idealistic teenagers beckoning their parents to save the environment when these parents have bills to pay and other issues to concern. Unfortunately, though I admire such sincerity (and they are the most sincere party out there!), they did not get my vote this time around either because I sense many people are already going to vote NDP because they are sick and tired of the Liberals.

Gilles Duceppe & Le Bloc Québécois
Mr. Duceppe is actually my favourite leader of all the candidates; especially during the election debates. He is brutally honest, talks with common sense and does not back down from he believes. He could get my vote wherever he ended up except that he ended up in BQ. Can you imagine if Alberta or Ontario one day decides to have their own provincial party be represented in a Federal election? Hopefully, that day will never come! I cannot stress how much I admire his candid sincerity. He has everything it takes to become the next Pierre Trudeau; and like Trudeau, many will love him and many will also hate him. Mr. Dueceppe, if you can focus on building and defending Canada like you do for Québéc, you would automatically have my vote!

Paul Martin & The Liberals
Finally, why did I vote for Mr. Ditter? Yes, Paul Martin is getting more and more indecisive, having to cater to in-fighting and outside pressures. But a minority government is not a bad thing! Many things got done to the benefit of the people and yes the Liberals will defend the budget surplus vigorously, but less vigorously if the Conservatives and the NDP are constantly haggling and dealing with them. This allows a balance between budge surplus and deficit. I didn’t believe this election was warranted. The parties were working well together for once, and the NDP had to stir things up to cause this election. I want to send the message that the parties should find a way to work in a minority government, instead of seizing opportunistic power! Paul Martin deserves my respect for the many things that have he’s contributed. He is a leader but he’s been slipping! The Liberals have always been a party that I supported because they reflect more of how I think a governing party’s role should be. I have my own opinion on where the government should step in and where they should remain on the sidelines. Like many Canadians, I don’t condone the scandals, but I don’t think any party is without those either

What about the issues?
I like the Conservatives’ GST tax cut, the accountability act, but dislike their stance on reopening gay/lesbian rights, mobilizing armies and scrapping the gun registry. I like the Liberal’s child-care program better than the other parties. I always welcome the NDP’s stance on Kyoto and social/environmental issues. And there isn’t anything from the BQ that I can support, except maybe I’d like Duceppe’s input to influence more about the Provincial/Federal harmonization issues. But remember! Campaign promises are often broken. No matter what they say now, the governing party can always change their word!

The only way to get the best of everything is to have another minority government! I would welcome either minority govenrment with the Liberals or The Conservatives in charge.

P.S. What about the Green Party? Until people take you seriously and more importantly, you take yourselves seriously, I’m not going to take you seriously!