Rants & Raves

We discuss air travel, non-voters, shy politicians and more

RAVE: For more air travel options. As we all know, trips to and from Cape Breton Island are expensive, and air travel tops that list. Which is why we welcome the arrival of WestJet Encore’s new year-round Sydney-to-Halifax service last week with open arms. Its entry into the marketplace has already prompted Air Canada Jazz to lower its rates and this spells good news for consumers.

RANT: For shy politicians. Veteran Affairs Minister Erin O’Toole slipped into Sydney last week to announce four case workers will be hired to support veterans looking to return to the workforce. The case workers will reportedly work out of the Victoria Park garrison in Sydney. The only problem is that aside from CBC Radio, O’Toole didn’t bother to tell anybody in the local media. At least not us here at the Cape Breton Post. And when we tried to reach him a day later he was, ahem, not available to speak to us. Not the best way to get your message out. Or was he trying to avoid annoying questions involving the need for hiring case workers just 17 months after the federal government closed the Veterans Affairs office in Sydney? A lousy communications job on a very important topic, it says here. But from this government what else is new? And in light of the office closings gaffe, don’t these hires really speak to a government which is in serious damage control mode?

RAVE: For the democratic process. Six candidates vied for votes in two local byelections last week and in sharp contrast to some parts of the world it was a very civilized affair, both during the campaigns and at the ballot box. Geez, we didn’t even receive a call of complaint for election signs being stolen this time around. Kudos to the victors — Liberals Dave Wilton and Derek Mombourquette — but also to the other candidates (Tammy Martin, Edna Lee, Madonna Doucette and Brian MacArthur) for providing voters with options. It’s not an easy decision to stand for elected office and we appreciate their efforts.

RANT: For non-voters. In some parts of the world, voters will stand in line for hours in order to cast a ballot. In CBRM last week, more than half of the eligible voters couldn’t be bothered even though they could have done so on any number of days before the election. The final turnout in Cape Breton Centre was just 47 per cent. In Sydney-Whitney Pier, the turnout was a paltry 42.6 per cent. No doubt there are many nonvoters out there who will be quick to criticize government decisions in the future. That’s their right. But what does it say about a society that is fortunate enough to have the right to vote but the majority can’t be bothered.

RAVE: For a new campus counselling program at CBU. The transition from high school to university can be a traumatic one for some students, especially for those who are away from home for the first time. For some having access to counsellors to discuss mental health issues, plus give them access to financial and legal services, could mean the difference between success and failure. With so much time and money at stake when it comes to secondary education this program seems like a wise investment.