It’s the economy, stupid
National Post readers answer the question: “What is the most important issue for you in this election and why?”
The economy
❚This election has been sidetracked by issues that are relatively unimportant on a grand national scale. A “veil” seems to have been placed over the issues that are really important as far as the entire country is concerned. This is a “national” election, therefore, it is the economy — stupid.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa. ❚A strong economy is the most important issue, and even with the exception of the price of oil on the world market (which Canada has no control over) we are keeping pace with the American economy, and better than most economies of the world. When you consider that oil is about 40 per cent of the Canadian economy, and most of the Alberta and Saskatchewan economy, it is no surprise that the economic figures would have been distorted by the price of oil in one quarter, resulting in what was called a technical recession. Taking the falling price of oil out of the equation, there was no recession in Canada, and Canada should stay the course with the Stephen Harper government.
Fred Perry, Surrey, B.C. ❚The most important election issue for Canada is the economy. The greatest threat to the economy is fossil fuel demonization in the form of a carbon tax, or cap-and-trade crippling of key industries. Industrial productivity for Canada is critically dependent on our cross-country arteries of roads, railways and, particularly for us, pipelines and airlines. All Canadian commerce and national pride began with the railroad. It must continue with the embrace of all the arteries. To hinder any of them in the name of an unproven ideology that suits competitors makes absolutely no sense.
Peter Maclean, Kingston, Ont. ❚With an expensive, greying population and a workforce growing very slowly, with the limited taxes required for government spending being generated by a slow-growing GNP, with a balanced budget still in sight, with environmentalists wanting to destroy our oil and gas industry, with manufacturing jobs continuing to flee overseas, with new export markets and trade agreements urgently required for our still-resourcerich country — with all this, we desperately require a government that will see to intelligent economic and fiscal policies. Nothing is more important than the future of our economy.
Ron Hoffman, Toronto. ❚My main concern is the economy and what the “green programs” endorsed by both opposition parties will do to the prosperity of our country. Unfortunately, this unproven ideology has become a cult that demands governments implement extreme measures that raise the price of our goods for export and damage our ability to compete in a global economy. There are no independent studies that provide factual measurements of the benefits, if any, of enforcing these policies, which inevitably result in the escalating price of consumer products. In fact, the disastrous actions by the Ontario Liberals to implement a green energy policy without studying costs and benefits has been an unmitigated disaster.
Carol Joseph, Burlington, Ont. ❚The economy is the most important issue. A strong economy can produce lots of jobs, high productivity, a large export market and encourage consumer spending.
Jim Pecore, Guelph, Ont. ❚The important issue is the economy and always will be. Alas, our inherent wealth is being degraded in some of our once-prosperous areas as a result of appalling bad management. Todays jittery global economy is no time for experiments in holistic socialism or the extravagance of liberal debt accumulation. If the market economies get stormier, the theorists and untried juniors are just not equipped to take over the till.
Russell Thompson, Victoria, B.C.
Security
❚There are two issues of primary importance: security and the economy. One must realize that our prime minister has access to information from our security organizations of which the public is not aware. He is responding accordingly and all the sneering and belittling by Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair do nothing but make us see how inadequate they are.
Joan P. Mitchell, Victoria. ❚The most important issue in this campaign is security. This means not only attacking various forms of Islamism in the Middle East, but protecting ourselves against terrorism in Canada. It also means encouraging Canadians to stop being politically correct. While still valuing multiculturalism, we must be encouraged to recognize and speak to the varying levels of acceptability of practices in different religions, cultures, ideologies, and political and legal systems.
Jonathan Usher, Toronto. ❚Only a fool could look around and not realize that our world is becoming an increasingly unstable place. Canada does not need a leader who will throw money at every group and issue, who will make up new policy every day, or who will panic at every poll. Now, more than ever, Canada and the world needs the stability, maturity, and experience of Stephen Harper.
Iain G. Foulds, Spruce Grove, Alta.
Big government
❚The most important issue concerns the fact that people now can’t, wont, or don’t do things for themselves. They expect the government to do whatever their hearts desire and arrange for the taxpayer to pay for it. Schools should teach children how to take care of themselves and their possessions with and without the aid of modern technology, with an emphasis on finance. We should all try to see things in full and complete context.
M. Penny, Mississauga, Ont.
Our international
reputation
❚The most important issue for me this election is who will restore Canada’s international reputation. We used to be a world leader in foreign aid, welcoming refugees and United Nations peacekeeping missions. We were at the forefront of research, and access to and sharing of information. We were respected for our creativity and economic productivity. We were admired as a compassionate and just society. Let’s recreate the Canada we once were.
Reiner Jaakson, Oakville, Ont.
Abortion
❚Morality is the most important issue to me in this election. My Canada has become a pagan nation and few people seem to realize it. The lack of respect for the pre-born child from the moment of fertilization to natural death comes quickly to mind. If a person can’t see that abortion is a serious act of barbaric violence, we are indeed morally blind. Where is the rage against this tragic situation?
Barbara Gobbi, Roberts Creek, B.C.
The niqab
❚The niqab is the most important issue this election. Never has an issue been more galvanizing than this one. Barbara Kay’s “Ten reasons to ban the niqab,” is an affirmation of Canada as society not wishing its cultural norms to be changed. This is one issue where those opposed to the niqab far outnumber those in favour.
Paul Stevens, Milton, Ont. ❚Banning the niqab in all public areas is the most important election issue for me. Our freedoms and security depend on it. Like Canadians, my First Nation ancestors bent over backwards to accommodate early newcomers to this land. Their peace and friendship treaties were abused and manipulated to further the political and religious aims of these immigrants with disastrous results for First Nations. I see history repeating itself with the push of Islamism into Canada.
Jennifer Asimoudis, Ancaster, Ont. ❚The niqab is the most important issue to me. Yes, really, for many reasons. One, it represents, among other things, the wearer’s disdain for and rejection of the culture, traditions and customs of the very country whose citizenship she is seeking for the benefits it affords. I expect my government to protect my country’s public health, security, standard of living and way of life. A novel idea, I know.
B. Sherriff, Mississauga, Ont.
Electoral reform
❚ ❚As in other years, Canadian voters bring a wide range of concerns to this election. Among these, electoral reform is the fundamental issue that will most influence all other outcomes. We cannot effect meaningful social, economic, and political change without a parliament that reflects the values, goals and diversity of the true majority of Canadians. To achieve this, it’s imperative that we leave behind our outdated winner-take-all electoral system, an ill-fitting anachronism that places Canada in the minority of democracies around the globe. We are long overdue for some form of proportional representation in this country.
Marusha Taylor, Courtenay, B.C. ❚ ❚In the now-squirming bag of election issues is one that has been quietly hiding in a corner: electoral reform. Though the Conservatives have avoided it, treating it as a hot stove, the Liberals and NDP and the Greens all refer to it in their platforms. The strange thing is no one is talking about it on the campaign trail. Though it lacks the poignancy of the refugee issue, it is a topic worth pushing. Installing proportional representation, as Mulcair has promised, would mean the end of competitive parliaments, political ad hominem shouting matches and a welcome rise in cooperation. Surely that’s worth voting for?
Geoff Rytell, Toronto.
❚ ❚The most important issue not getting exposure is the disastrous erosion of Canadian democracy. We now have a false majority (23.4 per cent) government elected by only 39 per cent of the 60 per cent who showed up to vote in 2011; a government that has shown contempt for parliament and that rules its own MPs through the unelected PMO — pre-empting the authority of even the few voters who elected those MPs.
Mark Hambridge, Calgary.
❚ ❚The most important issue in this election is to get a proportional representation electoral system, one that results in a parliament that is what the voters voted for. Countries that use proportional representation do significantly better on a range of issues, such as the number women in parliament and cabinet, the rich/poor ratio, on welfare issues, the environment, criminal justice and foreign aid. Such consensus democracies are kinder and gentler societies.
David Huntley, Burnaby, B.C.
❚ ❚Electoral reform is my number one electoral issue. Our current system of first-past-the-post is inherently undemocratic when you consider that in 2011, less than 40 per cent of eligible voters managed to elect a majority Parliament.
Laura Nerenberg, Ottawa.
❚ ❚The most important issue in this election is electing a party that will implement a proportional representation system. Our current “first past the post” system leaves our electorate discouraged and disenfranchised. It is not right, nor fair, nor sensible for 70 per cent of our voters to vote against a candidate, and still see that candidate gain power, and this is a significant cause of low voter turnout. With proportional representation, however, every vote would make a difference and every vote would have meaning. I believe this issue is absolutely critical to our country’s future.
Laura Buechler, Nanaimo, B.C. ❚Get rid of our first-past-the-post voting system, and bring in some element of proportionality. I don’t care which system of proportional representation is adopted, as long as we don’t end up with 30-something per cent of the votes mysteriously, and regularly, being translated into 100 per cent of the power. Until this happens, all other issues will remain background chatter for me.
Glen MacDonald, Toronto.
Strengthening
the army
❚ ❚I follow defence and security very closely from a wide variety of sources. I can’t say I’m impressed with the Tories but I have zero confidence in the Grits or Dippers, as defence doesn’t fit with their “flower power” view of Canada. Maintaining the West’s technological advantage is important, thus the procurement of the F-35 might be necessary, but I don’t believe we’ll be fighting the Russians or the Chinese anytime soon. I believe the future of war is cybernetic and asymmetric infantry combat à la Afghanistan. Therefore, strengthening the army has to be the top priority. Australia is bulking up, we should too.
John Purdy, Kirkland, Que. ❚ ❚Security and sovereignty are linked. Canada needs to modernize and equip its forces properly to protect our borders, particularly in the north where Russian encroachment is a real threat. Our servicemen and women deserve better than what has been going on for decades under various governments. The Dominion should also assert its sovereignty rights by rejecting the UN scolds who want to allow invasive hostiles to come to Canada, many under the guise of refugees .
Leigh U. Smith, Burnaby, B.C.
Foreign policy
❚For me, the most important issue this election is Canada’s foreign policy, and more specifically, its Middle East policy. Russia’s inexplicable current intrusion into Syria to assist Bashar AlAssad, as well as ISIL and Iran’s nefarious activities, needs to be closely monitored by the West. This week’s meeting between Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin clearly illustrates the disagreement between the East and West over Syria. The United Nations will continue to do nothing in this arena and people will continue to die. Therefore Canada, needs to have a clear and strong foreign policy in conjunction with the U.S.A. to alleviate this ridiculous tragedy which should have been dealt with by the world (and the UN) years ago.
Barry Bloch, Thornhill, Ont.
Taxes
❚The most important issue to me and my family this election is taxation. Which party is going to confiscate more of my hard-won earnings for their pet projects? Which party believes it knows better than we Canadian families on what and where to spend our money? The party that leaves more money in the family cookie jar and shrinks government will get our vote.
Wade Pearson, Calgary.