Exercise your right to vote

As we wind down our final week of the municipal election campaigns, here’s a stat that might encourage nonvoters to actually come out and vote for the first time.

First Nation people were not allowed to vote federally in Canada until March 31, 1960, without losing their Indian status.

Never mind what happened in the States prior to the Civil Rights movement, it’s shameful that many of us were alive when this happened right here in Canada.

There are still many citizens in Canada who consider it an inconvenience to stop at a polling station, show two pieces of ID and stand in line to cast a ballot in the municipal election.

We certainly have a lot of diverse candidates to choose from.

In Naramata, Kaleden and the West Bench, citizens there have the opportunity to elect an indigenous woman to the school board. It would be the first time in years since the Penticton Indian Band has been represented on the school board. Kathy Pierre hopes to join the late Archie Jack in the history books.

Both Kelowna and Penticton could elect their first openly gay city councillors — Loyal Wooldridge and John Archer, respectively.

Although it’s a boys’ club on the ballot in both Penticton and Kelowna, the District of Summerland will have a female mayor. The two candidates are women — Toni Boot and Janet Peake.

Boot is black. Colin Basran, mayor of Kelowna, is IndoCanadian, John Vassilaki, a mayoral candidate in Penticton, was born in Greece.

This all seemed improbable only a few generations ago.

Across the valley we also have age diversity. There are some highly-capable candidates in their 70s.

In Penticton, city council hopeful Christopher Evasin and school board candidate Dan Walton are both in their 20s.

The candidates up and down the valley are from all walks of life. They have different professions and they all have their own unique political beliefs.

That’s why we asked in our Q&As which political parties candidates support, much to the chagrin of some. We also wanted to know who their political inspirations are.

Remember, if you’re not overly knowledgeable, you don’t have to vote for six or eight candidates for council (depending on where you live). You can pick one or two, or even leave that part of the ballot blank and vote for the mayor.

I remember during my elementary school days that whenever there was an election, our gymnasium was used as a polling station and we’d all have to head outside for phys. ed class. But, the kind ladies working the elections would allow classes to pop down and observe for five minutes.

It was exposing kids to the process of voting. McDonald’s had been doing something similar for years. Get kids hooked early.

Saturday is general voting day in B.C. If you don’t want to vote for yourself, or for your community, please cast a vote for those who were denied the right to vote for so many years.